Coach Andre "Tank" Montgomery
photo by Dennis Norwood
The aunt of the victim in the Ooltewah High rape case has begun an online petition seeking to have the three teens charged in the case to be tried as adults.
They are charged with aggravated rape and assault.
She said in the petition that Ooltewah High basketball coach (Andre "Tank" Montgomery) had been notified that his players were being abused.
Supt. Rick Smith said there was "no wrong-doing" on the part of any adult in the case, which happened at a rental cabin in Gatlinburg on Dec. 22.
Some of those responding to the petition said they believe the coach and other adults should be charged.
No personnel changes have been announced at Ooltewah High, which had its basketball season ended.
Over 1,000 people have signed the petition.
The aunt says in the petition: "My nephew who is a 15 year old freshman at Ooletewah High School in Tennessee. He was at a basketball tournament in Gatlingburg, TN with his basketball team. On December 22, 2015, he was assaulted and sodomized by 3 upper classmen on his team. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released the day of the incident. The following day, he had to be rushed to another hospital 30 miles away via ambulance in Knoxville, TN. Once he arrived at the hospital; he received emergency surgery as a result of the sexual assault. He is now at home recovering, which could take 2-3 months. His attackers have been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated rape. One of the boys received a bond. What they did was premeditated and malicious. My nephew was targeted, because he resisted their initial abuse. When the coach was notified of the abuse, the boys retaliated. My nephew could have died, if he did not receive proper medical care! We are asking that justice be served and that the attackers be charged as adults. As well, they should have to be registered as sex offenders. We thank you in advance for your support!"
The petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/takera-clark-praying-for-justice?recruiter=13094212&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive