Tennessee coalition asks court not to release rape case records

Brandon Vandenburg testifies he understands their may be a conflict of interest issue with his chosen attorney Albert Perez Jr. during a hearing in Judge Monte Watkins court Friday March 28, 2014, in Nashville.
Brandon Vandenburg testifies he understands their may be a conflict of interest issue with his chosen attorney Albert Perez Jr. during a hearing in Judge Monte Watkins court Friday March 28, 2014, in Nashville.
photo Tennessee Supreme Court

NASHVILLE -- Four victims' rights groups are asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to rule against a coalition of news media organizations, including The Associated Press, that is fighting to get access to some of the records in a high-profile rape case involving four former Vanderbilt University football players.

The Tennessean reports that the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the Tennessean Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, the National Crime Victim Law Institute and the Sexual Assault Centers are asking the court to consider the victims before releasing police records to the media.

Cellphone video recorded graphic images of the June 2013 rape. The media are not seeking the graphic footage. Nor do they want to identify the victim.

The media organizations are seeking access to text messages, including those between coaches and players after the rape.

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