Sam Ukwuachu was denied a new trial for his sexual assault conviction and the former Baylor University (BU) football player was denied bond while awaiting an appeal as well.
According to The Waco Tribune-Herald, Judge Matt Johnson of Waco's 54th State District Court denied Ukwuachu's motions at a hearing Monday. Johnson previously sentenced Ukwuachu to 180 days in jail and 10 years of probation after a jury found him guilty in August of sexually assaulting a female BU student-athlete about two years ago.
William Bratton III, the former BU football player's attorney, confirmed to The Associated Press he would be appealing the conviction.
During Ukwuachu's trial, Texas Monthly released an investigative report detailing how the defensive end transferred to BU from Boise State despite past complaints of domestic abuse toward his ex-girlfriend. BU's football staff claimed to have no knowledge of the complaints at Boise State, as the alleged victim reportedly did not press charges.
Ukwuachu had to sit out the 2013 season due to his transfer and then sexually assaulted a female BU soccer player shortly after arriving on campus. Amid the criminal investigation and the potential for charges, BU's football staff ruled him ineligible for the following season, but he was expected to play this season.
That was before the sexual assault conviction and after the story became widely spread, BU claimed Ukwuachu was transferring to attend school closer to home and not to distance himself from domestic abuse complaints at Boise State.
BU since ordered an investigation into the transfer as well as a review of the school's policies and practices relating to sexual misconduct.
