Michael Nodianos ‘ashamed’ of callously joking about rape in viral video

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The attorney representing Michael Nodianos of Steubenville, Ohio said the teen was ashamed for callously joking about the alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Nodianos, 18, recently gained Internet infamy after “Anonymous” hackers released disturbing video of him cheerfully mocking the young victim, joking she was “so raped right now.” The girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in late August by two players on the Steubenville High School football team while she was unconscious.

“There’s no excuse or justification for the comments Michael made in the video and with some sober reflection he is ashamed and embarrassed to hear them himself,” attorney Dennis McNamara said at a press conference on Monday.

McNamara described the video as “disappointing, insensitive and unfortunate,” but insisted that his client was not a witness in the case. Nodianos arrived at the house while the victim was leaving, and heard about the incident from witnesses, McNamara said.

Thanks in part to the video, the Steubenville rape case has created a national uproar. The two teens accused of sexual assault, Trent Mays and Malik Richmond, face trial in February.

Nodianos, a freshman, has dropped out of Ohio State University due to threats.