STEUBENVILLE RAPE CASE Football player appeals his sex-offender status

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

One of the two Ohio high school football players convicted this year of raping a 16-year-old girl is appealing his sex-offender classification.

Ma’Lik Richmond, 17, received the state’s second-toughest label from Judge Thomas Lipps last month, meaning he has to register as a sex offender every six months for 20 years. It’s the same classification that Richmond’s co-defendant received.

Unlike adult sex offenders, Richmond’s name won’t be included on publicly accessible websites, and he can request to have the classification removed later based on his rehabilitation.

The public defender handling the appeal, Brooke Burns, said Thursday she couldn’t comment without Richmond’s permission. The appeal was filed last week in Jefferson County in eastern Ohio.

Richmond and co- defendant Trent Mays, 17, were convicted of raping the West Virginia girl last year after an alcohol-fueled party. The case has been furiously debated online and led to allegations of a cover-up to protect the celebrated Steubenville High football team.