Jackrabbits Seek Justice: In an attempt to clear their name, suspended South Dakota State players Mohamed Berte and Andre Gilbert said the woman who has accused them of rape is lying. They also attempted to get a temporary protection order against the woman, who tried to get the same order against the former Jackrabbits. Because both sides agreed they didn’t want to see the other, the judge opted not to issue an order to either. Berte is a junior forward who averages 8.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his first season at South Dakota State. Freshman forward Gilbert averages 8.5 points and six rebounds per game. The school suspended both players after learning that university police were investigating the woman’s accusation that the players raped her.
For the second time in recent years, a college program acted prematurely in suspending two players. La Salle did the same when two Explorers were arrested and charged with rape before a jury later found them innocent. This case is even more despicable because Berte and Gilbert face no charges yet. They have been punished before any meaningful law enforcement organization accused them of a crime — never mind that innocent until proven guilty in a court of law thing. [2/06/06]
