Jasper NAACP seeks answers in Silsbee teen indictments

The Jasper branch of the NAACP is questioning the indictments of 2 teenagers charged with sexually assaulting a Silsbee High School cheerleader.

Last week the Hardin County grand jury indicted 18-year-old Rakheem Bolton and 19-year-old Christian Rountree. 

Bolton is a senior and Rountree graduated last year. Both played football at the school.

While the NAACP is raising questions, the prosecuting attorney says members should turn over evidence if they have it.

Members of the Jasper Branch of the NAACP and supporters of 2 Silsbee teens gathered in the Hardin County Commissioner's Courtroom Monday.

"We have great concern, we have some questions we need to get answered," says Billy Robinson, Sr., president of the Jasper branch of the NAACP.

And while they search for answers, they also raised many questions.  The NAACP wants to know what evidence caused a second grand jury to indict Rakheem Bolton and Christian Rountree, after the first grand jury met last January and decided not to indict.

"Where was the new evidence?  What happened to the no bill by the first grand jury?" asks Robinson.

Jasper NAACP President Billy Robinson says the organization has several concerns about the presentation of evidence in the case.

"We question special prosecutor David Barlow how he allowed no investigator or Silsbee Police Department to testify before the second grand jury," says Robinson.

Robinson said he had an inside source that told him only the cheerleader testified in front of the recent grand jury.

Barlow told KFDM News he can't talk about specifics, but said if the NAACP has evidence, it should quickly turn over that evidence.

According to Barlow, the grand jury heard substantial evidence gathered during an investigation lasting more than a year.

"We want the same evidence that was presented to the first grand jury to the second grand jury," says Robinson.
Members of the NAACP say they will talk with the Justice Department about the case.