Sam Ukwuachu victim hires attorney John Clune
An attorney who represents the woman who accused former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston of sexual assault has been hired by the woman raped by former Baylor defensive end Sam Ukwuachu.
John Clune confirmed to the Dallas Morning News that he’s been retained by the former Baylor soccer player. She’s also being represented by a Waco-area lawyer.
Baylor announced earlier in the week that it was starting an internal investigation into the handling of the incident. Ukwuachu was sentenced to six months in prison and 10 years probation on August 20. He was not indicted regarding the October 2013 incident until June 2014 and news of his trial didn’t break until shortly before it began.
“We are glad to see that President Starr and Baylor have chosen to conduct their own investigation and look forward to learning the outcome of that process,” Clune said in a statement released by his firm, Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC of Boulder.
“Regardless of what facts these investigations may bare, there is a significant teachable moment here for all in higher education and we are hopeful that Baylor University embraces that great opportunity.”
Clune, who specializes in Title-IX related affairs, represented Erica Kinsman at Florida State as the university and authorities investigated Winston’s actions. Winston was never criminally charged regarding the accusations and was cleared by Florida State. The school’s handling of the situation came under severe scrutiny and she settled a Title-IX civil lawsuit she filed against the school.
Ukwuachu’s history at Boise State has become a widely-investigated topic as he was reportedly involved in troubling episodes with his then-girlfriend. The woman testified at his sexual assault trial that he had abused her in their time together in Idaho.
Both Boise State and Baylor officials have said they did not know about the domestic abuse allegations at the time of the transfer. Ukwuachu was dismissed from Boise State in May 2013 and transferred to Baylor soon after. Then-BSU coach Chris Petersen has said he “thoroughly apprised” coach Art Briles of what he knew about Ukwuachu.
Ukwuachu’s father said he heard the Petersen’s side of the phone conversation between the two coaches. He was in the football offices to meet with Petersen about his son and was in an outer office around Petersen’s.
“We could hear the whole conversation,” he said.
“Petersen said ‘Samuel is a dynamic player, a good boy’ (and) said he would be pleased if you take him into your school,” Felix Ukwuachu said.
Petersen “did not let Samuel go because of sexual abuse or any kind of abuse,” Ukwuachu said.
“Samuel was depressed, Samuel was homesick it was making him…think suicidal thoughts, so we decided that we told him you have to come home,” he said.
Ukwuachu never played a down for Baylor, sitting out both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.
For more Boise State news, visit Blue-Turf.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
