On the final day of the trial, before the jurors went into deliberations, I was an emotional and physical wreck. I was hoping the jury would come to a quick verdict, but knew this was not at all likely. The trial ended too late in the day and I could see the jurors were drained. Being a Friday, the realization of this dragging over the weekend was daunting.
Vantrase admits kicking Ryan in the head.
I wasn’t at all surprised when the panel were sent home for the weekend. Kari and I headed back to Virginia that night.
When I arrived home I immediately checked my blood pressure. Over the prior three days my nose was literally exploding with blood. Nose bleeds that poured from me would come on so fast that I always had to keep a box of tissues on hand. Without shock, my blood pressure was indeed high. As I recall, it was in the neighborhood of 150/110.
It was going to be a long weekend…
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The jurors deliberated for two hours but were unable to reach a verdict.
By Mike Krafcik
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Mike Krafcik
MORGANTOWN — A Monongalia County jury will resume its deliberations Monday in the trial of two men accused of beating a West Virginia University student into a coma.
The trial of Jonathan May and Austin Vantrease, the two men accused in the beating Ryan Diviney, continued Friday. Vantrease and May face a charge of malicious assault. The jury could also consider a lesser charge of unlawful assault.
Vantrease took the witness stand on Friday. Vantrease was 18 years old at the time and a freshman at the University of Delaware. He told jurors he was drinking that night, and said he may of had a “slight buzz” by 3 a.m., when he and his friends met Ryan Diviney and his friends at the Dairy Mart.
In his testimony, Vantrease admitted kicking Ryan Diviney in the head right after he hit the ground after being punched in the head. In his testimony, Van Trease said the kick is something “he’ll regret for the rest of his life.”
On Tuesday, The defense team called Dr. Julian Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at WVU Hospitals. Dr. Bailes said whatever improvement Ryan has made in a year, will be all the improvement he’ll make in his life. Ryan remains in a comatose state in a New Jersey hospital.
The Jurors will resume deliberation on Monday and a verdict is expected to be reached.
Ken, Ryan, Sue and Kari~ I remember checking WBOY to see if there were any updates, as well as FB of course. It made me so sad to see the news conference, where you described Ryan as liking Sports, dogs and women. Ken, you looked completely drained, and Kari so tiny and fragile next to you. I agree with Paula that there should be a large caravan of people at the parole hearing. Use his blog as you see fit, I hope at the very least it is cathartic for you. Writing can be a release that sometimes even physical activity cannot accomplish. We love you dearly~
Ken,
I remember how especially concerned I was about you that day in particular. Difficult to pull up the emotional memory of that time and re-live it, but I do understand why it’s necessary to go there at times. For me, it helps me to put into better perspective the magnitude of what you and Sue carry with you every day. As difficult as those days at the trial were for me to bear, I realize that it was only just a tiny fraction of the heavy burden that your family carries with you every day. I am truly humbled by that and I try to remember that in my moments of weakness. I am in awe of how you do your best to overcome ALL of the obstacles placed before
you every day and not let any one of them
defeat you. A true inspiration to us all.
On the more positive side, I look at where Ryan was medically during the trial and where he is today…..truly amazing! All possible due to the relentless efforts by you and Sue, the love and comfort that only you, Sue and Kari can give to reach Ryan in the way that is most familiar to
him, the support by so many neighbors, friends and family to bring you what you need when you need it, the countless prayers being offered by so very many, and God walking with you through this every step of the way. Faith, hope and love with you every minute of every day, always…..
Peggie
Ken, To read what this thing did to Ryan is sickening and can’t imagine what it’s like for you and the family.But again Ryan seems to be doing so well and will get better ,where that animal has to live all his life with what he has caused a family to go through .Some way ,sometime they will get the punishment deserved Praying for you all Love Gail
Oh Ken, it pains me to read about the physical and emotional toll this took and continues to take on you and your family — the nosebleeds part broke my heart!! When is the next “parole” hearing — we might need to charter a bus…not to mention ensure the proper security is there. I won’t lie, these men’s families make me very nervous…
Love & prayers for you and your family,
Paula
Although the animals that did this to Ryan did not get the time that they deserved, I find comfort in the fact that they will have to live with what they did for the rest of their lives. They could start to at least TRY to chip away at that guilt by doing something positive to make it right: VanTrease and May Families: How about working on that court-ordered restitution in THIS lifetime? Just sayin….
Very difficult to read and re-live; can only imagine what it is like for you. We will never forget… …Meanwhile, trying to look ahead to all the good things that are about to happen next for Ryan. When will he be going back to NJ? Always here for you with hope and love. Our faith that he is getting well is never-ending!
And yet, although small steps….Ryan continues to improve, pulled and encouraged by the love you show him. I understand it is not enough, but he continues to move in the right direction. All my best.