Xavier University's ex-assistant coach for women's basketball was acquitted on Monday, from misdemeanor charges which includes sexual abuse. The defendant was charged in August after a Xavier student reported him of groping and offering an alcohol.
According to ABC News, Judge Ann Ruttle found Bryce McKey not guilty of third-degree sexual abuse and not guilty of providing alcohol to the victim, which were all misdemeanor charges. Last year, the 29-year old former assistant coach took a guilty plea.
The representing attorney of the plaintiff, Walter Madison said they were disappointed over the ruling. "No one should have to endure sexual assault in the first place but in particular when the perpetrator is a person in a trusted position," Madison said.
The bench trial took place in Kenton County District Court Monday. Cincinnati.com reported a Xavier University player for the women's basketball team, who was below 21 years old said, McKey asked her to come to his home in Covington on 2nd of May 2015, to help him prepare to move
The victim testified that McKey gave her dark alcohol drinks, hugged her and inappropriately touched her. She also said, he "placed his hand on her thigh" as they drove back to the house from a Chipotle restaurant. However, the judge said that there were too "many times" when the victim didn't refuse. Ruttle also found that there was no evidence that McKey knew the the victim.
The defendant resigned from his position in Xavier. However, they said, Mckey was not hired at the university during that time. Mckey was just employed at University of Maryland at the time, however, he later on resigned from the assistant coach position after the school gave him suspension, WCPO Cincinnati.
According to the issued official statement of the school with the women's coach head, Brenda Frese in August, Mckey submitted his resignation due to "personal matters."
