GSU athlete accused of rape granted bond

ATLANTA — A Georgia State University basketball standout charged with rape is set to be released from the Fulton County Jail on Friday night.

Channel 2's Aaron Diamant was in the Fulton County Superior Court Friday morning where a judge set bond for Tony Kimbro at $50,000.

University police said the alleged attack against an acquaintance happened March 15 at the University Lofts on Edgewood Avenue. Deputy Chief Carlton Mullis said the investigation began immediately, but the department couldn't make a case against Kimbro.

"There just wasn't enough evidence to substantiate the charge of rape in our opinion," Mullis said.

Kimbro's accuser applied for a warrant on her own. A judge signed it earlier this month, and Fulton County Marshals arrested Kimbro May 3. He has been jailed ever since.

"Honestly, I'm just lost for words," said Kimbro's mother, Juanita Williams, one of several family members and friends at Kimbro's bond hearing.

"His mind frame is all messed up," Williams said. "I mean, he cannot believe this has happened to him."

Williams told Diamant she doesn't know her son's accuser, but said Kimbro called her a friend.

"To my understanding, it's just out of revenge," Williams said. "She seen him with another female, and that's how this came about."

The alleged victim was not in the courtroom, and her attorney wouldn't comment. Meanwhile, Williams is standing by her son, saying the accuser's claims are not in Kimbro's character.

"Anybody that knows my son knows that this is not him," Williams said.

Kimbro's release comes with a long list of conditions. The judge ordered him not to have any contact with his accuser in person or online. He is also barred from entering GSU's campus and must live at his mother's home in Kentucky.

Kimbro is not the only GSU athlete facing legal trouble this year.

Last month, the school took action against several football players after a fight near Moon Dogs bar in Buckhead. The victims told police several men attacked them. GSU kicked quarterback Bo Schlecter off the team and suspended placekicker Christian Benvenuto and linebacker Charles Dexter Moody.

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