4 Clemson Students Cleared in Grand Jury Probe of Alleged Assault

The Charlotte Observer, September 3, 1986

Star Clemson University football player Kenny Flowers, another player, and two former players were cleared by a grand jury Tuesday of allegations that they raped a 37-year-old N.C. woman on June 20.

The Pickens County Grand Jury ruled that there was insufficient evidence against Flowers, defensive back A.J. Johnson and former players Craig Crawford and Duke Holloman. The grand jury had considered possible charges of criminal sexual assault, kidnapping and larceny.

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Flowers, a senior who is 253 yards shy of the all-time Clemson rushing record, was touted earlier this year by the school as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

"We had great lawyers working for us and knew it would end up this way," said Flowers.

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The grand jury also ruled Tuesday that police in the town of Clemson did nothing improper in their handling of the matter when the woman, who is the mother of another former Clemson player, reported the incident June 21.

Police immediately arrested Crawford and Holloman, but failed to serve warrants on Flowers and Johnson.

Police allowed Flowers's attorney, Dick Harpootlian of Columbia, to talk with the woman in the town police station. Harpootlian persuaded the woman not to pursue the case. At the time, she had no attorney.

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After the grand jury action Tuesday, Harpootlian criticized press coverage of the matter.

"Justice was done," Harpootlian said.

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