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Ohio school principal avoids trial in rape case

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STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – The case of an eastern Ohio elementary school official charged following an investigation into the rape of a 16-year-old girl in 2012 has been resolved without a trial.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Steubenville elementary school principal Lynnett Gorman will perform community service related to rape awareness in lieu of prosecution.

DeWine said Wednesday that a misdemeanor charge of failing to report child abuse or neglect will be dropped in June if Gorman completes her service.

A message was left with Gorman’s attorney, Dennis McNamara, who said Gorman was accused of failing to report a teen sex and drinking party in April 2012 unrelated to the rape of the West Virginia girl.

McNamara said Gorman learned about the party second- or third-hand.

The case drew wide attention amid allegations of a cover-up to protect the celebrated Steubenville High School football team.

DeWine convened a grand jury last year to look into possible related crimes, resulting in charges against six people. The Steubenville school district’s former technology director faces a late February trial on charges he misled investigators. He and other school officials charged have pleaded not guilty.

A former eastern Ohio high school football player, Ma’Lik Richmond, was released from a juvenile detention center less than a year after his conviction for raping a 16-year-old girl following an alcohol-fueled party.

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