Devontavious Bryant Guilty of Aggravated Rape of Runner near Finley Stadium

Guilty as charged, that’s what a jury decided in the trial of Devontavious Bryant, one of the men accused of raping a runner near Finley Stadium.

This was Bryant’s attorney Jonathan Weiss first trial.

His closing statement he argued there wasn’t enough evidence to prove Bryant was at the crime scene.

"He’s in a yellow jacket and wig an hour before the rape and that’s what the victim describes. That’s harsh, but it’s still not him, and the state hasn’t met it’s proof to show that it’s him," said Weiss.

The victim however, testified she was positive Bryant was one of the two men that raped her

"She’s gonna have the opportunity to observe her offender as he lays on top of her and sexually penetrates her," said Assistant District Attorney General Cameron Williams.

Bryant took the stand to testify in his defense on the last day of the trial, but district attorney Neal Pinkston says the holes in his story just made him less convincing to the jury.

"Mr. Williams and I thought it was inconstant with the statement he gave police so he gave us an opportunity to show the differences in stories he changed from testifying as apposed to what he said to police back two years ago," said Pinkston.

Bryant was clearly upset and ripped off his tie and un-tucked his shirt.
Pinkston says they got the outcome they wanted.

"We’re glad the jury took their time and gave service and to Sergeant Francis in his investigation but also the courageous acts of the victim coming in and telling everyone what happened to her," Pinkston said.

Bryant faces 15 to 25 years on the rape conviction and three to six years on a robbery conviction.
Deacon Williams plead guilty last week and sentensed to 10 years.