High school football star has rape charge dismissed after accuser contacts him on Facebook to say it never happened
“There are no words in any language, no gesture in any culture that can explain or describe what I have been through,” said Banks. “I hope my story brings light to a major flaw in the judicial system.”
Banks was once a football star with dreams of playing in the NFL. He was only 16 when a woman accused him of kidnapping and raping her at school. The woman, Wanetta Gibson, added him as a friend on Facebook and in a message said she wanted to “let bygones be bygones.”
Banks’ attorney, Justin Brooks, said that Gibson and Banks met and she was caught on video admitting that no rape every took place, and that she would help him to clear his record. She was then brought before prosecutors and is now obligated to repay the $1.5 million that her mother was paid by the school for what allegedly happened.
“I will go through with helping you but it’s like at the same time all that money they gave us, I mean gave me, I don’t want to have to pay it back,” she told Banks.
Banks went to jail in 2002 for the crime, when he was just 16 years old. At the time, he was being heavily recruited by USC and other colleges. He was on his way to fill out college applications when he met up with Gibson and went to a stairwell to make out. He apparently said something she didn’t like, which led to the allegations of kidnapping and rape.
Investigators found no physical evidence of rape. Due to the pressure from his attorney and prosecutors, Banks pleaded no contest to the kidnap and rape charge, after being told that he would get 41 years in prison if he fought the charge and was convicted.
Banks thought he would get just 18 months based on his attorney’s advice, and instead ended up in prison for six years. While in prison, his case was taken on by the California Innocence Project.
“Brian’s story is so compelling, and his case for innocence so clear, we knew we had to take this on,” said Justin Brooks of the Innocence Project. “Brian lost a huge part of his life when he was unjustly sent to prison.”
Banks has had to remain on probation under electronic monitoring and could not get a job after being registered as a s*x offender.
“This is a kid who was a superstar,” Brooks added. “He would be playing the NFL now if this hadn’t happened.”
In the video below, Dr. Boyce Watkins and Yvette Carnell discuss the case of Brian Banks
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His life was ruined. He should get treatment akin to what military members get when they leave a job to enter military service; the person gets there job back or a position higher. On the state’s dime (billed to his false accuser) he should get one-on-one coaching/training from his (now probably retired) NFL idol and football camp for his four years of college.
That girl is the devil. That’s truly evil.
I agree 100%, just plain old EVIL!!!!
What a sicktwisted disgraceful person she should be made
to do his sentence of six years as punishment
Holy @#%! Real life To Kill A Mockingbird. This is sad when a cute white girl can imprison a black man just by accusations for 8 YEARS. America has to get over its racism.
“captaineo”, that “cute white girl” is the lawyer, who took this man’s case on …….for free….The accuser, Wanetta Gibson, is black girl.
It’s always nice to be reminded of just how ignorant, racist people are, for that I thank you
Captaineo This isn’t necessarily a racial thing. It happens quite frequently to men of all races. It’s very sad and these psycho Women should have to be accountable for their actions.
Are you referring to this article? Wanetta Gibson is African American, not a “cute white girl” and Brian Banks served six years not eight.
Above comment meant for captaineo.
Ms. Gibson should suffer some kind of punishment and pay the money back whether she has it or not. She ruined a young man’s life. Let bygones be bygones? Really after she serves time for perpetuating such a heinous crime. Sheesh. Lying Tramp.
No no put her in jail for telling a lie and lying on him and the state need to pay this man and make him whole
Why isn’t this TRAMP in jail for perjury?
Thank God he was released. It’s a good thing he didn’t live in Tulsa, OK because the type of prosecutor you are discussing works here. Especially in cases involving minorities. But my question is, what type of punishment will Wanetta receive?
What can we the gen public do to help him get his dreams back?? He so deserves to have his life back! And, our country will be a better place with his voice loud and clear..
I know Im way late but its ridiculous how girl/woman can just call or go strait to authorities and say she was raped to get any man arrested. Any Girl/woman can do this.