"Hes doing very well. The suit contends that Daileywas told Kelley hadn't lived at the McCarty home since June 2013 but changed the date to make it look as if he was still there on the July date the assault was alleged to have occurred. (Featured Image Credit: Showtime). In support of Kelley, a supporting groundswell emerged that called into question the small-town police force, their investigation, the prosecution's tactics, and ultimately the validity of the conviction[2] in one of the most controversial cases the county had ever seen. Greg Kelleyhas hopes and dreams, like a lot of people. Another Hail Mary, interestingly, got him to this point convicted and sentenced to 25 years without the chance of parole in 2014, it took a tirelessadvocate, an unconvinced lawyer and an opened-minded district attorney to take up the case, eventually unearthing a shoddy and unethical police investigation and inadequate legal representation the first time around. "It was an honor being able to be given this as I shook the hand of the current principal and was given a tour of a school where I once created wonderful memories. Will he ever get to play football again? He attended a tryout in February but was informed this month that Texas will not be adding any new players to the roster this fall. He made friends on the inside whom he keeps in touch with daily, and he said he intends to start a prison ministry to help people serious about turning their life around. There was no way he was going to get convicted on the evidence they didn't have. From the first day in my heart, I knew he didn't do this." Just last week he showed off the high school diploma he finally had a chance to go and get in person. She is a former NFL cheerleader who currently works as a professional Dancer & Choreographer. He told, There has not been another arrest in connection with Kelley's case specifically, though McCarty has been arrested, A judge recommended to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that Kelleys conviction be vacated in 2017 after a long and difficult battle from Kelley's supporters, according to the, As Outcry shows,Kelley moved to New York City with his longtime high school sweetheart turned. He was unable to definitively conclude who the perpetrator was, but he had three suspects: Kelley, Johnathan McCarty and an unnamed third person. Kelley asked his future father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage while he was still locked upbut he didn't propose until after he was out. Court documents filed by Hamptonin December 2018 stated that they also had athird suspect, whose name was not made public,who hada prior arrest on a charge of indecency with a child and had also lived in the home where the abuseallegedly took place. He lived in New York City for a little while before that. And so, finally unafraid and willing to move on in life, he enrolled in UT Austin, a public university in Austin, Texas, where he is majoring in Kinesiology and Health Education. A 6-foot-2, 215-pound safety, Eastern Michigan offered Kelley a scholarship in September, but the potential was there to make an impact, coachesagreed. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Kelley's conviction last November, writing that "the system failed him, for it convicted an innocent man." Leander, TX. All the while, he insisted he was innocent. As a junior at Leander High School, Kelley was offered a scholarship to UTSA by Neal Neathery, the Roadrunners defensive coordinator on the staff of then-head coach Larry Coker. And after Shawn Dick took office in 2016 and became the Williamson County district attorney, even the prosecutor's office sided with Kelley and his supporters. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. Kelley's case is the subject of "Outcry," a five-hour Showtime documentary series released in July that focuses on his conviction and the six-year attempt to overturn it. Christopher Dailey, who was the lead investigator on his case. ", Strangers really did come out of the woodwork. Keith Hampton hadalleged inKelley's appeal that theaccused'strial lawyer, Patricia Cummings, had not adequately defended him, namely by refusing to take a harder look at McCarty as a possible suspect due to a conflict of interest, having representedmembers of the McCarty family some years prior. I hit the jackpot. They're holding off on having kids though, Anderson said, so that her husband can focus on school. Greg Hansen column: Wolfgang Weber's last three Salpointe boys soccer teams have gone a combined 57-5-3. CLICK HERE to download the CBS Sports Mobile App and get the latest on your team today. It almost feels like my entire life was put on pause and I entered this blackhole and got spit out when I was 25 years old. As of now, the Big 12 hasn't canceled football season due to COVID-19, unlike some of the other major college football conferences. He is going to explore smaller-school options, Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton said. I knew what kind of person he was. And I don't take it for granted. "But you called my broken mother and promised her you would do everything you could to fight for me.". Chip Brown of Horns247 contributed to this story. Before he was incarcerated, he was verbally committed to play safety for the University of Texas at San Antonios football team, which meant that he had to have been really good. Kelley and wife Gaebri his high-school sweetheart who stuck with him during his entire ordeal made the two-day move from Texas late last week. The crime? Therefore, even though there was no concrete evidence, apart from his name, and that there was another probable suspect, Jonathan McCarty, Greg was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole and with only the right to file for a new trial. Eastern Michigan wasn't sure what to expect from him on the field, given he hadn't played in years, but the potential was there to make an impact, coachesagreed. Almost two years later, the appeals court agreed, sent their decision back to the district court to formally dismiss the indictment, and King declared an emotional Kelley "formally exonerated.". Furthermore, an investigator used questionable tactics to interview the children. What I found was the fact that Greg Kelley was a star high school football player in Texas worked as a double-edged sword for him. "The physical was taken away from us," Gaebri, a cheerleader in high school who now teaches at a dance studio near Cedar Park, told thePost. As he works on putting his world back together, buoyed by his faith and all the lovein his life(including from his now-wife Gaebri Anderson, thehigh school girlfriend who stuck by him throughouthisordeal), he's alsosuing thecity of Cedar Park, formerPolice Chief Sean Mannix and Sgt. Chief Mannix retired from the Cedar Park forcein Februaryand was due toassume that role in the much smaller city ofBurnet, about 36 miles away, but KXAN reported on July 13 that he would no longer be taking the job. Court documents filed by Hamptonin December 2018 stated that they also had athird suspect, whose name was not made public,who hada prior arrest on a charge of indecency with a child and had also lived in the home where the abuseallegedly took place. Kelley. [3], "This does not feel like freedom at all," said Kelley who was convicted of child sexual assault in 2014 to be exonerated in 2019 though it is exceedingly rare for the state's highest criminal court to overturn a conviction. Christopher Dailey, who was the lead investigator on his case. Kelley has been completely exonerated and declared innocent. A presumption of innocence until proven guilty may be the law, but that's not often the way people think. "For the people that stepped in and saved my life, I'm extremely grateful for them. Kelleyparticipated in a walk-on tryout for hisschool's football teamin the spring,Texas Athletics officialstoldKVUE. Kelley's other defenders pointed out that both the high schooler's original lawyer and the prosecution made missteps by not looking at all the evidence including neglecting to interview McCarty, who happened to look just like Kelley. And "I want this kid to feel like he's been delivered justice. He recently married his long term girlfriend, the love of his life, Gaebri Anderson, who stuck by him all these years. McCarty's family had taken Kelley in when Greg's own parents' health problems made it tough for them to take care of him. We got to premiere this documentary months before it came out and, sitting there with my family, reliving six years of heartache in a documentary that's about five hoursI mean, there's no words to explain it.". He debated whether to continue pursuing football or moving on in life, but ultimately decided to stick with it. Outcry is a 2020 documentary mini-series written and directed by Pat Kondelis, about the real-life story of high school football star Greg Kelley, who was arrested, convicted and jailed for sexual assault of a 4-year-old boy, as well as his support system that pushed back in their quest for truth and justice. Eastern Michigan plays in the MAC, which postponed football until the spring but is discussing a revised fall schedule. Kelley was released on bond in 2017, with his attorney filing that another man had admitted to the crimes and evidence showing there were many faults in the investigation -- the kids who accused him of the crimes were never shown photographs to confirm Kelley's identity, for example. Greg Kelley went from a football hero to a wrongfully convicted sex offender sentenced to 25 years without parole. That commitment came during Kelley's junior year of high school. Fortunately, Greg has been able to look forward in life. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegefootball | pageType: stories | He practiced with the team in 2020, but didn't see action in the shortened 2020 season because of a groin injury. "Football is a love of mine, something that I feel like has been given to me to love and to cherish and to experience," he told E! Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Additionally, Kelley is looking for reparations for the injustice he experienced. Separate from his own civil suit, Kelley is also eligible toreceive as much as $250,000 through the state'sWrongful Incarceration Act, according to his attorney. Texas Ranger Cody Mitchell, tasked with leading the new investigation in 2017, testified that August that he had determined that the Cedar Park Police had botched the original investigation. There has not been another arrest in connection with Kelley's case specifically, though McCarty has been arrested and later convicted for other sex crimes. This was an actual ballplayer.". "I want to give back," he said. Greg Kelleys life has not been simple. Kelly Michael Gregg (born November 1, 1976) is a radio personality and a former American football nose tackle. He currently contributes to various radio programs in Oklahoma City on 107.7 "The Franchise". He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma . Kelley's friend's parents owned an in-home daycare. He made the announcement on an Instagram post uploaded on Saturday. [8], The Guardian said, "It was a rollercoaster" and the most surprising docuseries of the summer. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals finally overturned his conviction in November, where he was declared innocent and fully exonerated. Furthermore, an investigator used questionable tactics to interview the children. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Now 25, Kelley has worked since his conviction to clear his name in hopes of fulfilling a dream of playing college football. "I've got this opportunity to seize to play football," Kelley told ESPN in February. Kelley, 26, was officially part of the Eastern Michigan's 2021 signing class, and played in the Eagles' spring game April 16, recording an interception. "Me and my family, that nightmare that we went through, is something I don't wish on my worst enemy. She maintained in 2017 that the defense she went witharguing that no abuse had occurredwas her best available option at the time based on the evidence. WebA five-part documentary series examining the gripping story of high school football star Greg Kelley who was arrested, convicted and jailed for sexual assault of a 4-year-old Furthermore, the filing also alleged, Cummings had previously represented this third suspect in another matter and therefore refrained from investigating that person as well. Kelley said in an Instagram post. Kelley was arrested his senior year of high school in 2013 for allegations of sexual abusing a 4-year-old child. [7] Metacritic rates Outcry 78% from 5 critics. That's how Eastern Michigan's newest football recruit, Greg Kelley, chooses to look at life these days, after an eight-year, nationally publicized saga that saw the one-time top-shelf Texas high-school football star wrongfully convicted for child sexual assault and spend three-and-a-half years in prison. In the fall, after signing with Eastern Michigan, Kelley told The News, "I feel like I'm a 19-year-old kid again.". I've done everything I possibly can to show you that I didn't do this.". Agirlhadaccused him of drugging and assaulting her at a frat party in 2015, when she was 15 and he was 18.). He entered the transfer portal, and within two weeks, he was an Eastern Michigan Eagle. And so, in 2017, he filed for a re-trial and was released from prison in August on bond. As he works on putting his world back together, buoyed by his faith and all the lovein his life(including from his now-wife Gaebri Anderson, thehigh school girlfriend who stuck by him throughouthisordeal), he's alsosuing thecity of Cedar Park, formerPolice Chief Sean Mannix and Sgt. Binge These True Crime Shows and Documentaries, Why Alonzo Brooks' Death Needed Further Investigationand Not Just From. All rights reserved. Both just 17 at the time, thetrialmade them grow up fast. ", But though Kelley is committed to holding the parties he feels are responsible for damaging his life"financially, emotionally, mentally, physically"accountable, he told E! "It breaks my family's heart because I don't deserve that, they don't deserve that. Get the fastest scores, stats, news, LIVE videos, and more. A second boy also came forward but later recanted his accusation against Kelley. "[10], Michael Morton, who was mentioned in Outcry as also having been wrongfully convicted, expressed that the way the prosecutors are being presented in Outcry is problematic. Kelley's case"clearly was the perfect storm of all aspects of the criminal justice system failing," Dick told Oxygen.com. A 6-foot-1, 215-pound safety, Kelley told ESPN he is excited to "shake off the cobwebs" after seven years away from football and will play at the same rover position at EMU that he played in high school. WebA five-part documentary series examining the gripping story of high school football star Greg Kelley and a quest for truth and justice. "Picked up my long overdue high school diploma yesterday at Leander High School," he wrote on Instagram. Saying things they can't and they won't take back and, still to this day, I continue to get persecuted, and it breaks my heart. Not everybody gets that. "I just call myself blessed," said Kelley, who was so adamant about his innocence from the beginning that he refused to sign a plea deal that could've kept him out of prison, and despite his mother's pleas to take it. Kelley was accused of sexually molesting two boys. Where was Kelly Gregg born? But, he added, "I want justice." Earning money proved tough while he was still a convicted felon, so he saved up for a ring doing yard work and other odd jobs. "You really start looking at Greg and realize not only can this kid move well, he'll probably play on Saturdays at a big-time program. The legal team also filed documents naming an alternate suspect, Johnathan McCarty. "I have nothing but gratitude for people that saved me from that injustice.". That case is pending. Brydon told Oxygen.comthat the Kelleys have sincemoved back to the Cedar Park area following their wedding. ", Catch Justin Sylvester's interview with Greg Kelley on the Aug. 19 episode of E! "I've got nothing but work ethic right now," Kelley said. That summer, a 4-year-old boy who attended the McCarty daycare accused Kelley of molesting him. No other Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Read More: Where Is Johnathan McCarty Now? He was convicted a year later and sentenced for 25 years without possibility of parole. ", Kelley also said that day, "I was given my freedom and I'm happy with it." "And he's never said anything but Greg and he said it under oath. From the first day in my heart, I knew he didn't do this." Wrongly convicted former Leander safety Greg Kelley has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal again, more than seven years after the former Texas high "I am excited to announce that I have been offered a D1 full ride scholarship to play football for [Eastern Michigan]!!" Kelley asked his future father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage while he was still locked upbut he didn't propose until after he was out. Kelleys supporters rallied to show their support of the convicted teen, and to point out the apparentholes in the case. I hit the jackpot. "Being labeled a pedophile is worse than murder," Kelley explained. News. A judge recommended to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that Kelleys conviction be vacated in 2017 after a long and difficult battle from Kelley's supporters, according to theNational Registry of Exonerations. Kelley had publicly expressed his hope that Dailey and Mannix would be fired, telling reporters outsideBurnet City Hall,"The reason why we wanted this to happen guys is because it's not about me, it's about the next person. Both just 17 at the time, thetrialmade them grow up fast. WebKelly Gregg was born on November 1, 1976. As "Outcry" points out, McCarty's initial lawyer was close friends with the McCarty family and she declined to look at himas a potential subject. Brydon said. He's surprised he wasnever stabbed, he said, but not a day went by where he didn't have to defend himself. Hes living the American dream. News. The children gave testimonies from a closed-circuit television, but every attempt that was done to make them positively identify Greg failed. The Greg Kelley case covered in the Showtime docuseries Outcry was, well, worthy of an outcry. "But," he added, "it turned into about six or seven of them turning it more into a hatred towards me. Early on, as soon as his name was out there, the case was taken up in the court of public opinion by child welfare activistsand the Internet took it from there. "We believe that much of Greg's youth has been taken away from him and we want to give him the opportunity to live out his dream of playing Division I football," Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said Saturday, per ESPN. Chris Creighton said we went through, is something I do n't wish on my worst.! 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