Former UT Footballer from Athens Acquitted of Sexual Assault

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – A former University of Texas football player who’s an Athens native has been acquitted of sexual assault of a female student in a campus dorm room. Kendall Sanders was kicked off the Longhorns after he and teammate Montrel Meander were arrested in July 2014. A jury of eight men and four women deliberated for more than four hours Thursday and Friday before delivering its verdict, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Sanders had faced two to 20 years in prison if convicted. In closing arguments, Sanders’ attorney said the accuser gave more than 30 inconsistent statements, including initially telling investigators that Sanders stopped having sex with her when she told him to. Meander still faces a felony sex assault charge from the alleged attack.