Steubenville Rape Case: Student in online video leaves Ohio State, lawyer cites threats

(CBS/AP) COLUMBUS, Ohio - An Ohio State University freshman shown in a video joking about a teenage girl allegedly raped by two high school football players will not be returning to school for the spring semester, his attorney says.

According to the Steubenville Herald Star, Michael Nodianos' attorney says someone has hacked into his client's email and social media accounts and the email accounts of his family members. They've also reportedly had to change cell phones.

""The Nodianos family hopes this will die down after the case is resolved and he can go back to college and return to the normal life of a college student," McNamara said in the press conference.

McNamara said people were attempted to find Nodianos' class schedule and even came to his dormitory looking for him, the Daily Beast reports.

Two teenage boys are set for trial next month in juvenile court in Steubenville, a city of about 18,000, on charges that they raped a 16-year-old girl in August. Their attorneys have denied the charges in court.

McNamara said Monday that Nodianos, a 2012 graduate of Steubenville High School and an Ohio State University academic scholarship student this past fall, was ashamed and embarrassed about his comments in the now infamous video and the effect his behavior has had, especially on his family.

McNamara said Nodianos is not a suspect in the investigation and was not present at the scene of the alleged attack. The attorney said the student was drinking the night the video was taken and was intoxicated when it was made.

"There is no excuse or justification for the comments and jokes Michael made on the video," McNamara said.

"With sober reflection, he is ashamed and embarrassed," the lawyer said. "He sincerely regrets his behavior and the effect it has had on all parties involved, especially his family. He was not raised to act in this manner."

Complete coverage of the Steubenville Rape Case on Crimesider