Temple University Football Player Accused Of Rape Appears In Court
By Jericka Duncan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The former Temple University football player, Praise Martin-Oguike, charged with raping a woman appeared in court Thursday afternoon for a preliminary hearing.
"He's been expelled from school," said Oguike's Attorney James Funt. "He's been kicked off the football team. All collegiate funding has been revoked - all under baseless accusations."
For the first time, Eyewitness News heard from the alleged victim in court. She's a 21-year-old former Temple University student. She says she met Oguike a month and half before the May 26th alleged rape, that happened inside Oguike's dorm room.
At the preliminary hearing she admitted the two had engaged in a consensual sex act, weeks before the alleged rape. She told Judge Karen Simmons that on May 26th she told Oguike she didn't want to have sex.
She also explained how she cried out multiple times for Oguike to get off of her.
"She said in open court, that he strangled her and forcibly raped her," said Prosecutor Joe McGlynn. "The judge said there was enough evidence for there to be a trial."
Oguike's attorney, however, is anxious to get back to court because he is confident his client will be exonerated.
"She knew full well, she went over there to have a specific sexual encounter with Mr. Oguike," said Funt. "Her text messages, she sent to Praise, her flirtatious text messages, graphically show that."
The judge scheduled the arraignment for next month.
