Texas high school football star Greg Kelley and Jonathan McCarty weren't just close friends; they also lived together for a while and even looked alike. [12], Lawyer Robert Barnes highly recommends Outcry, stating, "What's also still unsettling is that even Texas Rangers and high-ranking law enforcement officers still don't know how to prosecute a child abuse case."[13]. How in the world no one questioned Jonathan, or even all of the other football players who were constantly in and out of the house, is ridiculous and shocking. And I believe you should do the thing that makes you happy and gives you peace. Furthermore, the filing also alleged, Cummings had previously represented this third suspect in another matter and therefore refrained from investigating that person as well. It was definitely hard. Shama McCarty, Johnathan's mother, ran an in-home daycare, the scene of the alleged sexual assault. What No. Kelley was arrested his senior year of high school in 2013 for allegations of sexual abusing a 4-year-old child. Kelley was convicted in 2014 and sentenced to 25 years in prison on an aggravated sexual assault against a child charge. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye discusses why he feels less pressure this season than he did last year. Almost two years later, the appeals court agreed, sent their decision back to the district court to formally dismiss the indictment, and King declared an emotional Kelley "formally exonerated.". Greg Kelley, a former Texas high school player wrongly convicted of sexually molesting a 4-year-old child three years ago, said he was 'labelled a monster' throughout his ordeal. He tried to walk on to the Texas Longhorns in the beginning of 2017, but was told the team was not taking walk-ons that season. I've done everything I possibly can to show you that I didn't do this.". "Me and my family, that nightmare that we went through, is something I don't wish on my worst enemy. In early November, when the appellate court agreed Kelley's conviction should be overturned, Hampton told reporters that prosecuting someone else for the crime would be a tricky case no matter what. Gregory Newsome II (born May 18, 2000) is an American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He spent time in his early career with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, and was a starter for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011. He served 1,153 days behind bars and another 1,149 on bond, all for a heinous crime he never committed. at Greg McElroy breaks down repercussions of quarterback Tyler Buchner transferring to Alabama. She maintained in 2017 that the defense she went witharguing that no abuse had occurredwas her best available option at the time based on the evidence. They both may have had too much confidence in the system, but at least in the end, her faith and trust in Greg was not misplaced. The legal team also filed documents naming an alternate suspect, Johnathan McCarty. "The physical was taken away from us," Gaebri, a cheerleader in high school who now teaches at a dance studio near Cedar Park, told thePost. An attorney for Cummings told theAmerican-Statesmanthatshe didn't have any evidence against this third person when she was on the case, but "it is significant that they are now saying that he is the one who did this. The safety already had scholarship offers from multiple universities including University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas State University and Rice University. Grading big trades during the NFL draft: Who won the D'Andre Swift deal. How? According to the lawsuit filed in May and obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, Kelley alleges that Daileydid not verify Kelley's location the day of the assault, did not investigate other suspects, falsified information about when the assault happened and deleted emails about the case. David Peralta's three-run homer in the second inning helped the Los Angeles Dodgers extend their lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. And once he was convicted, those who had assumed he was guilty figured they were merely being proved right. Separate from his own civil suit, Kelley is also eligible toreceive as much as $250,000 through the state'sWrongful Incarceration Act, according to his attorney. As with any student-athlete, we would provide him the same academic and personal resources that are provided to all within our institution, and will hold him to the same standards as every other student-athlete on campus. But if anyone has the patience and strength to wait it out a bit longer, it's Kelley. Kelly Gregg was born on November 1, 1976. Kelley was accepted at the University of Texas and, after getting a walk-on tryout this spring, hopes toplay for theLonghorns. Who is Jake Bryden? We actually had a trip planned for the next day.". Keith Hampton hadalleged inKelley's appeal that theaccused'strial lawyer, Patricia Cummings, had not adequately defended him, namely by refusing to take a harder look at McCarty as a possible suspect due to a conflict of interest, having representedmembers of the McCarty family some years prior. In September, Kelley said he was offered a full scholarship by Eastern Michigan football. Former Texas running back Jeremy Hills, a trainer with clients including Earl Thomas III and Landon Collins, has been training Kelley since he moved back to Austin last fall. "And he's never said anything but Greg and he said it under oath. Cummings, Greg's initial lawyer, had one strategy and she stuck with it. Into Greg Kelley's senior year in Leander, Texas, he was arrested, convicted, and jailed for sexual assault of a four-year-old boy, and later for a second child, who both attended day care in the home where Kelley was living. Kelley asked his future father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage while he was still locked upbut he didn't propose until after he was out. [1], Gregg attended Edmond North High School in Edmond, Oklahoma and was a standout in football and wrestling. "Being labeled a pedophile is worse than murder," Kelley explained. Where was Kelly Gregg born? She can usually be found binging a new show at night, coupled with a glass of red wine. But while that was the outcome Kelley had been praying for, his life hasn't simply snapped back to normal. "It breaks my family's heart because I don't deserve that, they don't deserve that. Gregg was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round (173rd overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. The other suspect, Johnathan McCarty, is the son of the woman who ran the daycare, and once was a high-school friend and roommate of Kelley's. Kelley asked his future father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage while he was still locked upbut he didn't propose until after he was out. Who won the spring transfer cycle? Produced by Emmy Award-winning AustinitePat Kondelis, the five-part series detailed what led to Kelleys conviction of aggravated sexual of a child in 2014, the appeals processes that followed, law enforcements case against him and the fight to prove his innocence. It really does. As of now, the Big 12 hasn't canceled football season due to COVID-19, unlike some of the other major college football conferences. This was not lost on new District Attorney Shaun Dick, who re-opened the case, in part, because of this. Kelley was in prison for 1,153 days, and on bond for 1,149 more days. What is the current COVID risk in your county? Hills, who trains NFL players including Earl Thomas III and Landon Collins, said he was blown away by what he saw after he initially offered Kelley a chance to work out with him as a favor after following his case in the local news. We weren't really scared going into the trial. The team signed defensive tackle Brandon McKinney to replace him on the roster. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. Kelley was accepted at the University of Texas and, after getting a walk-on tryout this spring, hopes toplay for theLonghorns. Sneaky, sneaky! ", Anderson, 24, told theNew York Post last month, "It was crazy. The legal team also filed documents naming an alternate suspect, Johnathan McCarty. 6-keys: media/spln/collegefootball/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. [E]ven though I didn't technically have a senior year as a normal high school student, the past is the past and the future is limitless. "Still to this day, it doesn't get easier," Kelley told E! Between Kelley, his family and his fiance, the tears wereflowing. But he's also busy simply enjoying his freedom. Greg Kelley, a Texas high school football star, was arrested, charged and sentenced for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy in 2013. "Worse than murder" when you're in prison, Kelley said in an interview last month with E! He was released on bond in August 2017, a districtcourt judge recommended the conviction be overturned in December 2017, and last Nov. 6, it became official. Kelly initially thought it was a prank by his friends but in a shocking downturn, the promising athlete was facing 25 years to life in prison without parole . 'Outcry': A bone-chilling tale of high school football star Greg Kelley's wrongful sentence for child sex abuse. He was unable to definitively conclude who the perpetrator was, but he had three suspects: Kelley, Johnathan McCarty and an unnamed third person. We had to fall in love with each other's hearts through these letters.". ", Why Alonzo Brooks' Death Needed Further Investigationand Not Just From Unsolved Mysteries, And when he was convicted, Kelley recalled, "a groundswell of support from above started coming up and people started having my back. He spent three years in prison before his innocence was finally proven in 2019. Wrongly convicted former Leander safety Greg Kelley has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal again, more than seven years after the former Texas high-school standout lost a scholarship. His new attorney,Keith Hampton, filed multiple motions, alleging thatthe police investigation was shoddy and that Kelley wasn't properly represented at trial. Separate from his own civil suit, Kelley is also eligible toreceive as much as $250,000 through the state'sWrongful Incarceration Act, according to his attorney. With a long history writing in the field of consumer tech, she now also writes on topics from entertainment to parenting, lifestyle, marketing, and business. Court documents filed by Hamptonin December 2018 stated that they also had athird suspect, whose name was not made public,who hada prior arrest on a charge of indecency with a child and had also lived in the home where the abuseallegedly took place. She has defended her decision by saying if she introduced Jonathan as a potential alternate suspect, it would mean admitting that something happened at all. RELATED: 10 Best True Crime Documentaries On Hulu. Kelley, committed to Texas-San Antonio at the time,was arrested in 2013, when he was a high-school senior. "When you're in there as a pedophile you're already the scum of the earth." NEXT: 10 Of The Best Crime Docuseries (According To IMDb). ", "Mr. Kelley is an exonerated man in the eyes of the law, and an eligible student-athlete in the eyes of the NCAA," Eastern athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in a statement Saturday." It is truly beauty out of ashes.. 1 NFL draft picks were like as college football recruits: Only how many five-stars?! Who knew, right? Having previously maintained that he conducted a thorough investigation in the Kelley case, Dailey had yet to comment. He earned a Super Bowl ring when the Ravens, having an NFL record-setting defense, beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. In football, he was a two-time All-State selection and was named the City's Defensive Player of the Year by the Daily Oklahoman as a senior in 1994. "Picked up my long overdue high school diploma yesterday at Leander High School," he wrote on Instagram. "But," he added, "it turned into about six or seven of them turning it more into a hatred towards me. section: | slug: greg-kelley-to-play-football-at-eastern-michigan-after-wrongful-child-sex-crime-conviction-was-overturned | sport: collegefootball | route: article_single.us | The handsome young Texas football star seemingly had a successful life ahead of him. The suit contends that Daileywas told Kelley hadn't lived at the McCarty home since June 2013 but changed the date to make it look as if he was still there on the July date the assault was alleged to have occurred. I want to close this the right way.". He was unable to definitively conclude who the perpetrator was, but he had three suspects: Kelley, Johnathan McCarty and an unnamed third person. The Greg Kelley case covered in the Showtime docuseries Outcry was, well, worthy of an outcry. Kelley, a safety, was verbally committed to play football at Texas-San Antonio before his arrest and wrongful conviction. The docuseries was originally scheduled for release during 2020 South by Southwest. Earlier this year, Kelley filed a wrongful-conviction lawsuit against the city of Cedar Park, Texas, the city's former police chief and the police department's lead investigator on the case. Unfortunately, we were unable to get to the ultimate answer of what happened to the child. Kelley, who signed last year to play football at Eastern Michigan, entered the transfer portal earlier this week. The handsome young Texas football star seemingly had a successful life ahead of him. He still recorded 34 tackles. ", Catch Justin Sylvester's interview with Greg Kelley on the Aug. 19 episode of E! "Football is a love of mine, something that I feel like has been given to me to love and to cherish and to experience," he told E! Who Is Greg Kelley? From the first day in my heart, I knew he didn't do this." [5], Rotten Tomatoes favorably rates Outcry 89% from 9 critics and 93% from 15 users,[6] while the Internet Movie Database rates it 8.4/10 from 690 users. "Me and my family, that nightmare that we went through, is something I don't wish on my worst enemy. Kelley had publicly expressed his hope that Dailey and Mannix would be fired, telling reporters outsideBurnet City Hall,"The reason why we wanted this to happen guys is because it's not about me, it's about the next person. Born December 17, 1968, to Raymond and Veronica, Kelly, 52, was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve prior to his career as a television host. In May 2017, newly elected Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick agreed to reopen the investigation, and that August, Kelley was released on a $50,000 bond. Earning money proved tough while he was still a convicted felon, so he saved up for a ring doing yard work and other odd jobs. ", Strangers really did come out of the woodwork. Early on, as soon as his name was out there, the case was taken up in the court of public opinion by child welfare activistsand the Internet took it from there. Latest on NT Kelly Gregg including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He was a key part of several multi-game stretches of time where the Ravens defense did not allow a 100-yard rusher in a single game. "And he's never said anything but Greg and he said it under oath. And once he was convicted, those who had assumed he was guilty figured they were merely being proved right. From the first day in my heart, I knew he didn't do this." However, in 2017 his defense argued another suspect could have been responsible for the crime which prompted prosecutors to take another look at the case. An attorney for Cummings told theAmerican-Statesmanthatshe didn't have any evidence against this third person when she was on the case, but "it is significant that they are now saying that he is the one who did this. Those facts became points of contention when Kelley, at 17 years old, was wrongly pinpointed as a child molester and McCarty was overlooked as a potential suspect. Named All-Big 12 first-team as a Junior (1997) and Senior (1998), despite playing for teams with losing records in both seasons. But even in the middle of the nightmare, he found bright spots. District Judge Donna King recommended in December 2017 that Kelley's conviction be overturned, writing in her decision that the state wouldn't have been able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt ifcertain evidence that had come to light since had been presented at trial. Wrongly convicted former Leander safety Greg Kelley, who had been a student at Texas since January, announced he's accepted a football scholarship to Eastern Michigan. Almost two years later, the appeals court agreed, sent their decision back to the district court to formally dismiss the indictment, and King declared an emotional Kelley "formally exonerated.". [9], The Hollywood Reporter said it was, "An effectively indignation-inducing true crime tale. I knew what kind of person he was. But if anyone has the patience and strength to wait it out a bit longer, it's Kelley. A new five-part docuseries digs into what really happened. No one has been charged in the case since Kelley was cleared. ", Said football coach Chris Creighton: "We take matters like this very seriously. How much did Kelly Gregg weigh when playing? But everything came crashing down when he was accused of molesting a four-year-old boy. "I want to thank everyone at @easternmichigan forgiving me this opportunity to play the game I love again," Kelley wrote on Instagram. Even after seeing all of the evidence that could prove Greg's innocence, however, she still stuck to her guns and didn't want to entertain going another route, even when that route likely had a better chance of proving her client's innocence. In support of Kelley, a supporting groundswell emerged that called into question the small-town police force, their investigation, the prosecution's tactics, and ultimately the validity of the conviction[2] in one of the most controversial cases the county had ever seen. 2:32. A presumption of innocence until proven guilty may be the law, but that's not often the way people think. I hit the jackpot. The Showtime mini-series premiered on July 5, 2020. "I want to give back," he said. She continued, "I had no doubt in my mind. 1 in heat-related pet deaths, Picnic-planning ideas for the spring season, Everything you need to know about choosing the perfect, 13 luxurious bags that are way cheaper than they. Kelley was convicted and sentenced to 25 years without the possibility of parole, despite the lack of any physical evidence. We got to premiere this documentary months before it came out and, sitting there with my family, reliving six years of heartache in a documentary that's about five hoursI mean, there's no words to explain it.". A professional writer and editor with 18+ years of experience, Christine, now a freelance writer/editor, is a self-professed TV fanatic with tastes that vary considerably from comedies to dramas, sci-fi, and more. [E]ven though I didn't technically have a senior year as a normal high school student, the past is the past and the future is limitless. From what he told ESPN, Kelley's got some serious talent. Greg Kelley, a former Texas high school football player who was legally exonerated last November following a wrongful conviction in 2014 in a child sexual assault case, has signed with Eastern Michigan on a football scholarship. "So I want to explore that, I want to be given an opportunity to go and show these coaches like, 'Hey, I can continue to play, I've got tons of heart. All the while, he insisted he was innocent. Chief Mannix retired from the Cedar Park forcein Februaryand was due toassume that role in the much smaller city ofBurnet, about 36 miles away, but KXAN reported on July 13 that he would no longer be taking the job. [8] While never voted to a Pro Bowl in his ten years as a Baltimore Raven, he was often considered one of the most effective nose tacklesand one of the most underrated playersin the league. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Keith Hampton hadalleged inKelley's appeal that theaccused'strial lawyer, Patricia Cummings, had not adequately defended him, namely by refusing to take a harder look at McCarty as a possible suspect due to a conflict of interest, having representedmembers of the McCarty family some years prior. Kelley started playing varsity football at Leander High School in Texaswhere high school football on Friday rivals church on Sunday as a religious practicewhen he was a sophomore. In a Facebook video, Kelley shared the moment he found out UT had accepted him. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This was an actual ballplayer.". Greg Kelley (Showtime) All the while, he insisted he was innocent. Steen becomes the 21st offensive lineman to be drafted during Nick Saban's . Gaebri Kelley, a professionally trained dancer since she was 5 years old, has a successful career in her dream field. "When you're in there as a pedophile you're already the scum of the earth." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. His new attorney,Keith Hampton, filed multiple motions, alleging thatthe police investigation was shoddy and that Kelley wasn't properly represented at trial. Agirlhadaccused him of drugging and assaulting her at a frat party in 2015, when she was 15 and he was 18.). ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. He had been fighting to overturn his conviction ever since it was handed down, but the campaign really picked up steam when Shawn Dick, a newly elected Williamson County district attorney, reopened the case. "We believe that much of Greg's youth has been taken away from him and we want to give him the opportunity to live out his dream of playing Division I football," Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said Saturday. We look forward to helping Mr. Kelley succeed in his academics and on the playing field. [7] Metacritic rates Outcry 78% from 5 critics. Named All-Big 12 first-team as a Junior (1997) and Senior (1998), despite playing . There are so many shocking moments in the Showtime docuseries Outcry about the Greg Kelley case, but these 10 are by far the most shocking. But did anyone show him a photo of Greg and ask him to identify the person? PFR. His name wasn't cleared yet, but the young man was feeling hopeful. Kelley's case dates back to 2013, when he was a standout football player in Leander, Texas, who was committed to UTSA. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Showtime docuseries Outcry, which examined the sexual assault case and subsequent exoneration of former Leander High School football player Greg Kelley, won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Serialized Sports Documentary on Tuesday night. Kelley's case is the subject of "Outcry," a five-hour Showtime documentary series released in July that focuses on his conviction and the six-year attempt to overturn it. However, the believe the children campaign seemed to focus so much on believing that the accusing child was telling the truth and not considering the fact that perhaps the child was telling the truth but mistaking one person for another. Eastern Michigan is not looking to become part of a story in which it does not belong, but rather to serve as the first chapter in the next facet of a young man's life. He played college football at Northwestern and was drafted by the Browns in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft . Greg Kelleyhas hopes and dreams, like a lot of people. Byrne, Kevin. News. In the 2010 season, he remained the starter, but split playing time with rookie Terrence Cody. Earlier this week, a Texas spokesperson confirmed that Kelley, now 23, took part in a walk-on tryout for the Longhorn football team. Nearly eight months ago, after being finally released, Kelley applied and was admitted into the University of Texas at Austin. We ranked college football's top 37 spring transfers: Who tops the list? "Being labeled a pedophile is worse than murder," Kelley explained. Greg Kelley, a former Texas high school football player who was legally exonerated last November following a wrongful conviction in 2014 in a child sexual assault case, has signed with Eastern . He played college football at Oklahoma. Michigan State QB Payton Thorne enters portal, Deion 'ashamed' of NFL teams for lack of HBCU picks, Wave of Colorado players hit transfer portal, 2023 NFL Draft: SEC leads for 17th straight year, Vaughn aims to be latest breakthrough 'undersized' RB, Eagles spark Georgia reunion in NFL Draft. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals finally overturned his conviction in November, where he was declared innocent and fully exonerated. I had friends since I was a baby who were saying, 'I can't believe you are sticking by him.' [9] In 10 years as a Raven, he notched over 500 tackles, and 19.5 sacks, and 27 post-season tackles. He was alleged to have sexually abused two young boys at an in-home daycare, and the following year, he was convicted and sentenced. It's not clear when Kelley, 25, will get to play. Yet the police never stepped foot in the daycare. He maintained that starting role through the 2010 season. He majored in sociology. It's crazy! The charge by the other boy was dismissed. Kelley is. Returning safety Greg Brooks Jr. is also another option for LSU in the slot, although he will likely stick at . It was clear from the get-go that Jonathan was going to be going down a very different path than Greg. Kelley's path back to the football field has been an intense one. In 2013, with four scholarship offers on the table, a steady girlfriend and the future looking bright, the 17-year-old was accused ofmolesting a 4-year-old boy. The Mid-American Conference remains committed to a spring season, though its presidents met Saturday to discuss the possibility of reinstating a fall season. Gregg earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in Super Bowl XXXV. News. "Those guys taught me so much about getting through and persevering through such a place full of hatred and violence, and racists. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Kelleys conviction in November 2019. Multiple judges wrote that Kelley was an innocent man, not just freeing him based on technicalities. The suit contends that Daileywas told Kelley hadn't lived at the McCarty home since June 2013 but changed the date to make it look as if he was still there on the July date the assault was alleged to have occurred. Texas Ranger Cody Mitchell, tasked with leading the new investigation in 2017, testified that August that he had determined that the Cedar Park Police had botched the original investigation. "I am excited to announce that I have been offered a D1 full ride scholarship to play football for [Eastern Michigan]!!" Kelley started playing varsity footballat Leander High School in Texaswhere high school football on Friday rivals church on Sunday as a religiouspracticewhen he was a sophomore. He showed up out of nowhere like a knight in shining armor. News. It's testimony, so how does a prosecutor overcome that? Eastern Michigan has landed its most high-profile recruit in years. Gregg returned in 2009 and put in a strong year with 63 tackles (46 solo) and 3 sacks. I didn't expect any of that. But in 2017, his new lawyer filed a new petition, claiming Kelley had received an inadequate legal defense in the first trial, and that the lead detective conducted a faulty investigation. "It breaks my family's heart because I don't deserve that, they don't deserve that. ", He calls his wife, Gaebri Anderson, "totally unreal," adding, "I don't think there's a woman out there that can compare to the amount of heart and faith she hasI would be a damn fool to ever try to let that go. Supplemental Privacy Policy for Singapore. Through dealing with her own illness, the illness of her husband followed by his death, visiting her son in jail every weekend, and still being mom to several other kids, the strength Greg Kelley's mother showed through the entire six-year ordeal was incredible. Did anyone question others who were in the house at the time to see if it might have been someone else who looked like Greg, or just called themselves Greg?