School superintendent, 3 others charged in Steubenville rape case

CLEVLAND -- The Steubenville School Superintendent was among four adults charged by a grand jury that investigated the case of a 16-year-old West Virginia girl who was raped last year by football players at a party in Ohio.


The indictments, a mixture of felony and misdemeanor charges, were made by the grand jury last week and announced on Monday by Ohio Atty. Gen. Mike DeWine at a news conference televised from Steubenville. With the announcement, the grand jury has completed its investigation, he said.

“We must treat rape and sexual assault as the serious crimes” they are,  DeWine said. “When it is investigated everyone has the obligation to held find the truth,” he continued, “not hide, tamper or destroy the truth.”

Steubenville City Schools Supt. Michael McVey faces the most serious charges, including felony counts of obstructing justice, DeWine said. Telephone calls to the school official’s office and home were not immediately returned.

All the others face misdemeanor charges. Also charged were an elementary school principal and a coach who face misdemeanor charges of failing to report possible child abuse. A former volunteer coach faces several misdemeanor charges, including making false statements and contributing to a child's delinquency.

All four are to appear in court next month.

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