Former Portland Trail Blazer shooting guard Ben McLemore found guilty of r*pe charges after an 11-day trial | NBA News
Former Portland Trail Blazer player Ben McLemore, who was with the team for a season, has been found guilty of rape and sexual abuse of a 21-year-old woman. The incident happened back in 2021, when he was with the Trail Blazers, and happened at a house party in Lake Oswego. According to sources, he was found guilty on 3 out of 4 charges after an 11-day-long trial hearing.
Ben McLemore’s conviction comes after a 4-year-long wait
The former Portland Trail Blazer shooting guard Ben McLemore was found guilty on Thursday on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. He had previously pleaded not guilty on all accounts, but the jury convicted him on all charges except for one count of sexual abuse. As per Portland media outlet KGW:“The jury found former Portland Trail Blazer Ben McLemore guilty Thursday morning of rape and sexual abuse of a 21-year-old woman at a Lake Oswego house party in October 2021. McLemore, 32, previously pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. The jury found him guilty on all counts, except one of the counts of sexual abuse.“The trial hearing also saw testimonies from two other ex-Blazer players. The assault happened at the home of McLemore’s then-teammate, Robert Covington, but he allegedly did not testify.
11-day trial hearing led to a clear jury verdict
According to Ben McLemore and his attorney, Lisa Maxfield, they said that the encounter happened when they were both drunk but was completely consensual. But the victim and the prosecutor were very transparent in stating that it was a clear case of assault. Clackamas County prosecutor Scott Healy, when presenting final remarks in front of the jury, said:“There’s absolutely no confusion in this case. When you look at all the surrounding circumstances and you assess the evidence in this case, I submit to you that the defendant is guilty.”The 32-year-old now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years and four months in prison. McLemore was taken into immediate custody after the hearing ended, and the sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. next Wednesday on July 9, after a final statement from the victim.
