Former Vanderbilt football player sentenced to 15 years in prison
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Former Vanderbilt football player Cory Batey was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday morning just over three years after the on-campus rape.
Prior to receiving his sentence, Batey, while handcuffed read a letter to the courtroom where he apologized to the victim.
“I am deeply and sincerely sorry for my foolish behavior that took place on June 23, 2013,” Batey said. “My mother and family did not raise me to mistreat anyone, let alone a woman.”
He continued, “I hope if not today, I hope one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me of any damages I may have caused. If I had the capability to rewind time and change the way things transpired, I would.”
In addition to addressing the now 24 year old victim, Batey also apologized to his family.
“I’ve always tried to carry myself in the best way I could. I hope and pray everyone I have let down will forgive me,” he said.
The victim also addressed the courtroom ahead of her offender being sentenced saying, “I’ve seen with my own eyes what I was when Mr. Batey was done with me. A piece of trash, face down in a hallway, covered in his urine and palm prints, a photograph he took himself.” Click here to hear her full statement.
Judge Monte Watkins also heard from two Nashville pastors and Batey’s mother Audrey.
Batey’s mother described her now 22-year-old son as a “sweet child, who made a mistake.”
“I am sorry,” she said. “This is not my son. He has never been in trouble before,” she said.
Before reading the sentence, Judge Monte Watkins said the Vanderbilt rape case is one of the saddest cases he has ever encountered.
Ultimately Batey received 15 years in prison.
Batey was found guilty on one count of aggravated rape, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of facilitation of aggravated rape and two counts of attempted aggravated rape.
His former co-defendant Brandon Vandenburg will be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2016. He was found guilty of five counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of unlawful photography in the case during a separate trial this June.
Ex-football players Brandon Banks and Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie have yet to be tried for their alleged involvement in the rape.
It still remains unknown if plea deals will be accepted or if the two other former football players accused in the rape case will go to trial.