Von Pearson Update

#26
#26
jkleno said:
Merge thread with AJ update thread.
Click to expand...

Why? That's an entirely separate incident involving different players, and one, both, or neither of these two unrelated incidents may have actually constituted rape. I see no reason to create a consolidated thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 people
#27
#27
Aesius said:
I'm actually wondering if it means he's banned from using the academic support center for athletes and that he's struggling to complete his work/prepare for tests without it.
Click to expand...

Yeah thats probably what it is. I dont think he's been suspended from school....that would be a first. AJ wasnt.
 
#30
#30
appvol said:
247:

"Tennessee senior wide receiver Von Pearson remains indefinitely suspended from all team activities after he recently was named a suspect in an ongoing rape investigation, and there’s still no indication of when the investigation might conclude. Sources with knowledge of the situation have suggested it’s entirely possible that Pearson will not face charges in connection with the alleged incident, based on what’s currently known about the case. Then again, some once had the same thoughts about former Vols linebacker A.J. Johnson’s off-field troubles last year, so it’s still far too early to assume that no charges will be brought against Pearson."
Click to expand...

This is good news, assuming that no rape actually took place. However, Pearson wouldn't necessarily be completely out of trouble if he isn't formally charged by the police. Prosecutors only bring criminal charges if they believe they can legally establish guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt," as the Constitution requires. Universities, however, may conduct their own disciplinary hearings related to sexual assault and adopt a much more lenient evidentiary standard, and that's exactly what UT's done. According to page 30 of UT's Sexual Misconduct policy:

All investigations and proceedings, including disciplinary hearings, related to Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence must be conducted according to a "Preponderance of the Evidence" standard.
Click to expand...

"Preponderance of the evidence" means that somebody is deemed guilty if the evidence shows it more likely than unlikely (51% or greater) that misconduct took place. This is the standard most often used to determine civil liability, and explains why somebody might be found liable in a civil trial but not criminally guilty for the exact same thing (e.g., like O.J. Simpson's civil liability for Nicole Brown's "wrongful death"). "Beyond a reasonable doubt" is something approximating 95% certainty.

So if the accuser's story is even slightly more believable than Von's, he may still be in huge trouble with the university. For what it's worth, Jameis Winston was involved in a similar he-said-she-said incident, and while he wasn't criminally charged with anything he still had to undergo a disciplinary hearing at FSU, which he subsequently won. FSU also had a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, as this excerpt from the university's decision to acquit Winston indicates:

I do not find the credibility of one story substantially stronger than that of the other. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. I cannot find with any confidence that the events as set forth by you, (accuser), or a particular combination thereof is more probable than not as required to find you responsible for a violation of the Code. Therein lies the determinative factor of my decision.
Click to expand...

Unlike FSU, however, I doubt Butch would reinstate Pearson and let him play football before a disciplinary hearing is over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 people
#31
#31
ITSGR82BATNVOL said:
Is this becoming the standard defense for all the rape charges the past year and a half or so? UT's image continues to take "rape" hits and few seem to care as long as recruiting is good. Sad.
Click to expand...

Don't care, happens everywhere. If your kid gets a dui we should blame you, right? I don't care because every college's rep is the same to me. I mean bama has had a lot of kids arrested the past 3 months and I care as much about them as I do ours. It happens because they are young and they will make mistakes. At least we're not Vandy where they raped and recorded and plead not guilty.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#32
#32
LA Vol said:
If the university hasn't suspended him, he should be able to attend classes and take exams, as usual. What I'm reading into this is that Von no longer has access to tutors, group study sessions, etc. provided by the UTAD. And perhaps he isn't sufficiently self-motivated to attend classes and put forth his best efforts without the support and encouragement (i.e., prodding) of coaches, staff and fellow players. JMO... but the academic support for athletes is a real benefit and some need it.
Click to expand...

Many Many need it!
 
#34
#34
LA Vol said:
If the university hasn't suspended him, he should be able to attend classes and take exams, as usual. What I'm reading into this is that Von no longer has access to tutors, group study sessions, etc. provided by the UTAD. And perhaps he isn't sufficiently self-motivated to attend classes and put forth his best efforts without the support and encouragement (i.e., prodding) of coaches, staff and fellow players. JMO... but the academic support for athletes is a real benefit and some need it.
Click to expand...

Tutors are available for everyone.

Well, at least they used to be. You could just go to the library and find someone there to help. And lets be real..does he really need a tutor for whatever basket weaving art history communications degree he is enrolled in?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#35
#35
smokey0625 said:
Don't care, happens everywhere. If your kid gets a dui we should blame your, right? I don't care because any colleges rep is the same to me. I mean bama has had a lot of kids arrested the past 3 months and I care as much about them as I do ours. It happens because they are young and they will make mistakes. At least we're not Vandy where they raped and recorded and plead not guilty.
Click to expand...
I feel sorry for you, enough said.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#37
#37
smokey0625 said:
Don't care, happens everywhere. If your kid gets a dui we should blame your, right? I don't care because any colleges rep is the same to me. I mean bama has had a lot of kids arrested the past 3 months and I care as much about them as I do ours. It happens because they are young and they will make mistakes. At least we're not Vandy where they raped and recorded and plead not guilty.
Click to expand...
You'd care if your daughter or wife was the victim, unless you're a total moron.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 9 people
#38
#38
appvol said:
247:

"Tennessee senior wide receiver Von Pearson remains indefinitely suspended from all team activities after he recently was named a suspect in an ongoing rape investigation, and there’s still no indication of when the investigation might conclude. Sources with knowledge of the situation have suggested it’s entirely possible that Pearson will not face charges in connection with the alleged incident, based on what’s currently known about the case. Then again, some once had the same thoughts about former Vols linebacker A.J. Johnson’s off-field troubles last year, so it’s still far too early to assume that no charges will be brought against Pearson."
Click to expand...

Well, regardless of the outcome of the investigation, we will probably have to count on playing without VP next season due to the length of time these things seem to take. I am not really trying to criticize the justice system or law enforcement. This is a serious matter and any investigation has to look at the details and be complete. They often take many months to complete.

It is really too bad, I was expecting VP to have a great season.
 
#41
#41
FLVOL_79 said:
Tutors are available for everyone.

Well, at least they used to be. You could just go to the library and find someone there to help. And lets be real..does he really need a tutor for whatever basket weaving art history communications degree he is enrolled in?
Click to expand...

Private tutors charge $25-$50/hr, minimum. While Josh Dobbs probably doesn't need one, it sounds like Von might.

They'll even flunk you at underwater basket weaving if you don't show up, dive in and weave.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#42
#42
LA Vol said:
Private tutors charge $25-$50/hr, minimum. While Josh Dobbs probably doesn't need one, it sounds like Von might.

They'll even flunk you at underwater basket weaving if you don't show up, dive in and weave.
Click to expand...

I remember students doing tutoring for free.

But yeah if you dont show up to class you will fail.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#43
#43
WilliamDuVOL said:
Sooooooo no charges have been filed against him, and he isn't even allowed to attend class or take exams? Am I misunderstanding this?

Getting suspended from the team I agree with, but academics seem like something important enough to allow him to continue with unless charges have been filed. Maybe I'm misinterpreting this.
Click to expand...

Think about it this way. If it did turn out to be true the accuser could run into her rapist agian while on campus.
 
#44
#44
volfan_89 said:
Think about it this way. If it did turn out to be true the accuser could run into her rapist agian while on campus.
Click to expand...

So he's been neither charged nor convicted but he shouldn't be allowed on campus because the accuser may or may not "run into him". Not the way it does or should work imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 10 people
#45
#45
The unfortunate this is this; we have had this same debate way too many times for way too many different players. It may be old school, but it might be time to bring up abstinence as a way to protect their future. If they play the field, they are setting themselves up for a charge at any time. Any encounter can put them at risk at any time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#46
#46
KBVol said:
So he's been neither charged nor convicted but he shouldn't be allowed on campus because the accuser may or may not "run into him". Not the way it does or should work imo.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you feel differently if it was someone related to you.
 
#47
#47
Pride85 said:
The unfortunate this is this; we have had this same debate way too many times for way too many different players. It may be old school, but it might be time to bring up abstinence as a way to protect their future. If they play the field, they are setting themselves up for a charge at any time. Any encounter can put them at risk at any time.
Click to expand...

Technically, abstinence doesn't foreclose the possibility of being accused of rape--it actually happens not infrequently that people are accused of rape without a sexual encounter (e.g., UVA frat, Conor Oberst, Lena Dunham, a friend of mine--even Duke lacrosse, although those guys at least hired strippers, which is kind of/sort of like a sexual encounter in a sense, I guess). That said, abstinence and responsible behavior should certainly lower the risk of this issue coming up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#48
#48
volfan_89 said:
I'm sure you feel differently if it was someone related to you.
Click to expand...

First of all, that's not the best way to approach things (letting the most emotional response to a naked accusation dictate the rights of the accused).

Second, no.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 6 people
#49
#49
drylo said:
First of all, that's not the best way to approach things (letting the most emotional response to a naked accusation dictate the rights of the accused).

Second, no.
Click to expand...

So you think it's okay for someone accused of rape to be in close proximity to the person that accused them? It's bad for all involved.
 
New Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

Advertisement



Back
Top