A judge denied Brandon Vandenburg’s request for a new trial during a motions hearing in Nashville.
Vandenburg appeared in Judge Monte Watkins' courtroom Friday morning. Watkins denied his attorneys’ requests for a new trial and arrest of judgment – a postponement or stay of an official court decision.
Watkins said they will proceed with the appeals process.
The former Vanderbilt football player was convicted of raping an unconscious female student in a dorm room back in 2013.
He was sentenced to 17 years in prison back in November.
Vandenburg was considered the ringleader in the case, although he didn't commit the sexual acts. He was dating the victim at the time.
In June, a jury convicted Vandenburg for a second time. A mistrial was called after his first conviction when news came to light that the original jury foreman was a victim of statutory rape.
