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Attorney: UNC rejects appeal, ending investigation of football player accused of sex assault

An attorney for a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football player accused of sexually assaulting another student says the university's investigation into the case is now over.

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Allen Artis
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — An attorney for a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football player accused of sexually assaulting another student says the university's investigation into the case is now over.

Kerry Sutton, an attorney for Allen Anthony Artis, said the university denied an appeal filed by Delaney Robinson after the school's Title IX compliance coordinator determined last month that Artis didn't violate the school's sexual misconduct policy. According to UNC's Title IX policies, there is no other avenue for appeal or review.

Robinson, a sophomore from Apex, swore out warrants last fall charging Artis with misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor assault on a female. She said he raped her in an apartment at the Ram Village complex on Valentine's Day 2016, and she told police she thought she had been drugged before the alleged assault.

WRAL News usually doesn't identify the victims of sex assault, but Robinson decided to take a public stand on her case.

Artis, a redshirt junior linebacker from Marietta, Ga., has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and says he will plead not guilty if the case goes to trial.

Denise W. Branch, Robinson's attorney, released a statement Friday afternoon slamming the appeal denial.

"Ms. Robinson is deeply troubled by the University's apparent disregard of the scientific, medical, and expert evidence that shows she was sexually assaulted on February 14, 2016," the statement read. "Out of deference to Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall's ongoing criminal investigation, no further comment will be made at this time."

UNC officials said Friday afternoon that they take "all allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct very seriously."

"The University is committed to a fair process for addressing student reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. We follow that process fully to its conclusion in a manner that protects the rights all parties have under federal and state law and University policy. As part of that process, Carolina works hard to support and provide resources to all members of the campus community who are affected by these issues," Joanne Peters, director of media relations for the school, said.

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