A lawyer representing BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff denied allegations in a lawsuit that his consumer raped, strangled and bit a lady in 2023.
In a response to the lawsuit within the Third Judicial District Court docket in Utah filed Friday, Retzlaff’s lawyer wrote: “Mr. Retzlaff particularly and categorically denies every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled [the woman], that are ridiculous and weird allegations, all of that are false and unfaithful.”
The response states that Retzlaff and the lady, recognized within the lawsuit filed in Might as Jane Doe A.G., had consensual intercourse at Retzlaff’s condo in November 2023 and that they’d lighthearted textual content messages exchanges into February 2024. It additionally characterizes the lawsuit as an extortion try based mostly on the concept Retzlaff developed into an NFL prospect roughly a 12 months after their encounter.
The unique criticism and the response agree that Retzlaff and the lady related by way of social media, which led to her visiting Retzlaff’s condo to play video video games on or round Nov. 22, 2023. The lady arrived with a pal, and there have been buddies and teammates of Retzlaff additionally current, in line with the lawsuit.
Later that night, the lady’s pal left, after which Retzlaff and the lady began watching a film, the lawsuit states.
“Sooner or later they started to kiss, however Jane Doe A.G. didn’t wish to do something extra,” the lawsuit states. “Retzlaff started escalating the scenario … and Jane Doe A.G. tried to de-escalate the scenario and tried to sluggish issues down, attempting to drag away, and saying ‘wait.’ She didn’t wish to do something sexual with him.”
The lawsuit says that the lady advised Retzlaff “no” and “wait, cease,” however that he continued to power himself on her. After she tried to stand up out of the mattress, the lawsuit alleges that Retzlaff put his arms round her neck and proceeded to rape her.
“It damage so unhealthy and brought on a lot ache that Jane Doe A.G. handed out,” the lawsuit states. “Jane Doe A.G. remembers tears rolling down her face as she fought to breathe.”
A number of days later, the lady visited the hospital, the place a rape package was carried out and photos of her accidents have been taken. The lawsuit says she was related with Provo police however didn’t initially present Retzlaff’s identify.
After the lawsuit was filed, BYU issued the next assertion:
“The college takes any allegation very critically, following all processes and tips mandated by Title IX. As a consequence of federal and college privateness legal guidelines and practices for college kids, the college will be unable to offer extra remark.”
Separate from the allegations of rape, an admission of consensual premarital intercourse constitutes a violation of BYU’s honor code. In keeping with the varsity web site, punishment for honor code violations can vary from a warning to expulsion. A particular punishment for premarital intercourse will not be stipulated, however there have been cases of high-profile athletes being suspended for having premarital intercourse previously.
In 2011, basketball participant Brandon Davies was dismissed from the group — which on the time was 27-2 and ranked No. 3 within the nation — and suspended from faculty. He was reinstated that fall.
In 1999, operating again Reno Mahe was suspended from faculty and compelled to depart the soccer group. He transferred to a junior school and later reenrolled at BYU.