The Buckingham

Photo Credit: www.policymic.com

A judge has ruled to keep the upcoming Steubenville rape trial in the county where the alleged attack happened.

Judge Thomas Lipps on Jan. 30 agreed with the prosecutors who didn’t want the case moved out of Jefferson County in eastern Ohio.  The arguments by the attorneys for the two Ohio high school football players were rejected.  They had tried to argue that moving the trial would cut down on witness intimidation and harassment.

Judge Lipps also ruled that the trial will now start on March 13 and be open to the public.

The Steubenville rape case is over two football players who are accused of attacking a girl twice after an alcohol-fueled party in mid-August 2012.  The case has gained national attention for the star treatment of the football players, who were allowed to continue playing, and for the coaches response to the situation.