New sentencing hearing debated in Vanderbilt rape case
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Nashville judge says he'll decide next week whether to order a new sentencing hearing for a former Vanderbilt football player convicted of participating in the gang rape of an unconscious student.
Cory Batey was sentenced by Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins to the 15-year minimum after convictions on charges of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery.
Media reported that prosecutors said during a hearing on Thursday that they were not aware of 11 pieces of correspondence Watkins received about Cory Batey. They argued that they did not have an opportunity to contest the letters and that the judge wrongly relied on them in determining a sentence for Batey.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Batey's lawyer, Peter Strianse, argued that if prosecutors aren't happy with the sentence, they should appeal it to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.