UK's Tubman not indicted on rape charge
After hearing the evidence involved, a Lexington grand jury has decided not to indict former University of Kentucky football player and Seneca High School product Lloyd Tubman on a charge of rape, Fayette County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson said Wednesday night.
He'll face no more charges from the Fayette prosecutor's office, Larson said.
The grand jury heard all the evidence in the case during closed proceedings over three days in Fayette Circuit Court, including testimony from investigators, the alleged victim and Tubman, Larson said, before deliberating and deciding not to return an indictment.
"They listened to all the evidence and based on what they heard and saw, for whatever reason they chose, they chose not to return the indictment," Larson said.
He added: "The case that we have is now disposed of by no indictment."
Tubman, a freshman defensive end who didn't play last season, was arrested and charged on Oct. 7 following an incident in a campus dorm room involving a female student who described herself as Tubman's ex-girlfriend. He pleaded not guilty a day later.
After his arraignment, he left school to live with his mother in Louisville. UK football spokesman Tony Neely said the school had no comment other than confirming Tubman is not currently enrolled at the university, and he confirmed that if a student is not enrolled, he can't be a member of the football program.
Tubman's attorney, Jim Lowry, declined to comment, but his mother, Warnetta Cooper, said Wednesday's news was a major relief for the family.
"It's breathtaking because of course it was traumatizing and a journey so difficult," she said in a phone interview. "At least we can breathe again as family, and I just give God all the glory and praises. It's one of things where you cry a tear of joy."
One of Larson's assistants presented the evidence in the grand jury proceedings. Asked whether he was surprised that the grand jury didn't return an indictment, Larson said, "We don't try to influence the grand jury. We just put on the evidence and get out of the way, and they have all the evidence that we have, and it's up to them to make that decision. If they choose to indict a case, we go ahead and try it or deal with it somehow."
Tubman, a former four-star recruit, was suspended indefinitely by the UK football team following his arrest. Cooper had not spoken to coach Mark Stoops Wednesday evening to discuss her son, but she hopes he'll be able to play football at UK again.
After Tubman left UK mid-semester, Cooper said the family's entire focus has been on the legal proceedings, and she said she's not exactly sure what his academic standing is at the university, and in the coming days she'll seek to find out more.
"When it comes to the school, it hasn't been on the mind with anything," she said. "Everything just happened today, and I just want to breathe and take it in. Friday or Monday is going to be a new chapter and new discussions again. For now, he's free, and that's what matters to me."