Dispute over video evidence emerges during rape trial of former Ohio State football players

As the rape trial for two former Ohio State football players goes on, a cell phone video is now at the center of a dispute. The trial is currently ongoing in Franklin County Pleas Court.

The trial involves former Buckeyes players Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint, who allegedly raped a woman in February 2020. In the cell phone video, the woman is heard talking about her consent, and prosecutors are debating whether she was coerced into saying it.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the woman testified Tuesday she went to the two players’ apartment to hang out and possibly play video games. That’s when she said the incident took place, and attorneys for Riep and Wint argued the video showed she gave her consent.

The woman, however, alleged Riep intimidated her into saying the sex was consensual on video. A week before the alleged incident, Ohio State had a team meeting when an unknown staff member told players to “always make sure you get it on record that whatever you do is consensual” so they didn’t end up in court, according to the Dispatch. The woman said “I was worried I couldn’t go home if I didn’t say” what she said, the Dispatch reported.

Both players were dismissed from the football program Feb. 12, 2020. Riep entered the transfer portal in November 2021, nearly two years after the alleged incident.

More details on the allegations against Amir Riep, Jahson Wint

According to law enforcement officials, the victim watched a movie with both Riep and Wint before the rape occurred. The 19-year old woman then began to engage in consensual sex with Riep, according to an affidavit acquired by ESPN. The report then states that the woman stopped and expressed she did not want to continue.

The affidavit says Wint entered the room, asking to join. He then allegedly grabbed the woman’s neck and raped her while Riep held her down. The two then told the woman she must record a video stating that what happened was consensual. Video evidence was mentioned by Dan Sabol, Riep’s defense attorney.

“What the detective relayed that was in it is not entirely accurate, and I’m looking forward to it being played in open court,” said Sabol, via Ohio State student newspaper, The Lantern.

On3’s James Fletcher III contributed to this report.