Defense in Vandy rape case wants prosecutors out

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Lawyers for a former Vanderbilt football player accused in a gang rape on the school's campus have asked that charges against Brandon Vandenburg be dropped or the district attorney's office in Nashville be disqualified from prosecuting the case.

In court documents filed late Monday afternoon, Vandenburg's attorneys accused prosecutors of overreaching and bringing "sham charges" against their client. They also accused prosecutors with the Davidson County district attorney general's office of interfering with Vandenburg's choice of lawyers and failing to turn over evidence to the defense.

The Davidson County district attorney's office issued a statement calling the allegations baseless and said prosecutors "strongly deny" them.

Vandenburg and three other former Vanderbilt football players are accused of raping an unconscious student. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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