Second sexual assault allegation emerges at Georgian football LB Adam Anderson’s bail hearing

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Georgia football linebacker Adam Anderson attends his bail hearing on his rape charge at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

At a bail hearing for Georgian football linebacker Adam Anderson on Wednesday on a rape charge in Athens following an incident last month, the account of a second woman who alleges Anderson assaulted her sexually last year was presented to the judge as to why he should not be released from prison.

The alleged incident took place in October 2020 at Anderson’s apartment in Athens Ridge, a resort in Oconee County, the Staff Sgt said. Shannon Parker of the Athens-Clarke County Police Special Victim Support Unit.

Athens Police were contacted about the 2020 allegation by The Cottage, a local sexual assault advocacy center, when another alleged victim came forward after Anderson allegedly raped the victim who drove on the rape charge on October 29 this year. Parker said he interviewed the woman who said Anderson sexually assaulted her in 2020 and that since the incident happened outside of Clarke County he passed it on to Oconee County Police who is investigating the incident.

Superior Court Chief Justice Eric W. Norris has granted Anderson $ 25,000 bail. Anderson will be allowed to continue with fall semester courses at the University of Georgia, and then will have to relocate to his hometown of Rome. He will then be banned from traveling to the Athens area, except for legal reasons.

Anderson, dressed in an orange Clarke County Jail jumpsuit and wearing handcuffs, sat with his attorneys during the approximately two-and-a-half-hour hearing.

He was released on bail after a week in jail after surrendering after being charged with rape.

More than 40 people filled the courtroom to support Anderson, many of whom were family members and other coaches and teachers from Rome. So much so that the audience was moved from the fifth floor to the third floor before it even started.

Those in attendance included at least eight Georgia teammates including Justin Shaffer, Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton, Channing Tindall and James Cook.

Linebacker Nolan Smith told the judge that Anderson “is not a flight risk at all. He does the right thing.

The story continues

The two alleged victims presented impact statements which were read to the judge by a person representing them.

A 21-year-old woman told police that Anderson raped her on October 29 at a residence in Athens.

Anderson’s attorney, Steve Sadow, tried to question her credibility because she said she passed out while drinking before the incident.

The woman said Anderson should not be allowed on campus. She said in her statement that she could not eat or sleep and that she “felt constantly sick”. She said she had been called a “hooker and gold digger”. She alleged that Anderson’s teammates were harassing her on social media and she blocked them.

Anderson allegedly entered the victim “by force and against his will,” between 5 am and 6 am on the morning of the incident, according to the arrest warrant issued for Anderson. She told police she had been drinking and went to the residence and woke up to Anderson entering her, according to the police incident report.

Anderson, through his attorney, denied the charge.

“Victim B” was described by Parker as someone who had a friendship with Anderson. He said she was in his apartment and he forcibly removed her leggings and then sexually assaulted her.

Anderson missed the last two games for top-ranked Georgia after being suspended following an investigation by Athens-Clarke County Police. Sadow said he didn’t expect Anderson to play football for Georgia while the case is ongoing.

Asked ahead of the bail hearing whether Anderson will be able to participate in team activities or have access to facilities like the weight room and locker rooms if he is released on bail, a Georgia Athletics spokesperson referred to a statement last week after Anderson’s indictment: “The Athletic Association has no further comment as this is an ongoing legal and academic disciplinary issue.”

The school’s Equal Opportunities Office has opened a separate sexual assault investigation into the allegations against Anderson.

Asked about the status of the matter with the EOO and whether Anderson can attend class again, UGA replied, “In order to protect student privacy, we cannot comment on student disciplinary matters.”

Anderson, a senior from Rome, still leads Georgia with 5 sacks and is third with 5 ½ tackles for loss and seventh with 32 tackles. He was projected by some as a first-round NFL draft pick.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked on Monday if he had been in contact with Anderson.

“I don’t have the right to talk about it a lot,” he said. “I spoke to Adam, but this is the expanse and all I can talk about.”

If you are a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, The Cottage in Athens has a 24/7 hotline at 1-877-363-1912 and can help you. Additionally, UGA has resources listed here: https://www.police.uga.edu/campus-safety/emergencies/report-emergencies/2087-reporting-crime-of-sexual-nature. If you are in immediate danger or want to report directly to the police, call 911.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgian footballer Adam Anderson secured bail for sexual assault

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