James Franklin had no interest in discussing sexual assault allegations against two former members of Penn State’s football team on Wednesday, walking away from the microphone when a reporter asked about the situation.
Prosecutors have charged former players Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys with rape and other charges stemming from an alleged incident that took place this summer at an on-campus apartment.
The pair were members of the football team until August 3, when they were dismissed from the team, multiple media outlets reported.
But Franklin had no interest in addressing the situation when he encountered reporters after Penn State’s practice on Wednesday.
A Penn State athletics spokesperson tried to get ahead of the curve, reading a prepared statement that referenced a statement the school released Tuesday night indicating Franklin would not answer questions on the subject.
When a reporter asked when the coach knew Lyons and Keys wouldn’t be on the team this summer, Franklin quickly walked away and the frustrated-sounding spokesman repeated what he had said earlier.
“Again guys, the university has already released a statement,” he said. “We have no further comment.”
Franklin then reappeared and waited for questions about the team’s upcoming game against Wisconsin.
New details about the alleged incident emerged Wednesday after charging documents became publicly available.
Lyons was accused of raping a 17-year-old Penn State student on July 7 in an on-campus apartment.
He was also accused of groping, digital penetration and forcing the student to perform oral sex. according to the Center Daily Times.
Keys faces similar charges, and a police probable cause statement indicated that a short video of the interaction with the accuser was found on Lyons’ cellphone.
According to The Athleticthe two deny that they recorded anything during the alleged incident.
Lyons is also accused of indecently assaulting a second intoxicated woman, and neither woman consented to sexual contact, according to the affidavit.
Lyons admitted to having sex with the accuser and told police he believed it was consensual, although he admitted the woman would “probably report the situation to police,” according to the statement, according to the Center Daily Times.
Keys denied any sexual contact with any of the three women in the apartment.
The 17-year-old told police she encountered the two Penn State football players off campus and eventually left to go to an apartment complex, where the alleged attack occurred.
The alleged victim was with two other women at the time and police say they had all been served alcohol.
The teen told officers she tried to get away but was unable to due to the size of the two men.
She claims she was strangled and held down.
The two men were arraigned Wednesday morning with bail set at $500,000 for Lyon and $400,000 for Keys.
