Grand jury declines to indict University of Kentucky students in rape case
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- Fayette County grand jury declined to indict two University of Kentucky students.
- Charges: both faced first-degree rape; Adkins also faced strangulation; cases dismissed.
- Grand jury heard a UK Police sergeant and defense witnesses before dismissing cases.
Two University of Kentucky students who were accused of raping a woman inside a dormitory last year are no longer facing charges, according to court records.
Angus Thompson, 19, of Louisville, and Addison Adkins, 19, of Lexington, were charged with first-degree rape after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside Ball Hall on Feb. 18, 2025. Adkins was also charged with second-degree strangulation.
The Fayette County grand jury declined to indict Thompson and Adkins on the charges Monday, dismissing their cases. Court documents say the grand jury heard from a UK police sergeant and witnesses from the defense.
“As soon as the evidence was reviewed, it became obvious to anyone that these allegations were not only false but completely fabricated,” said Steven Romines, the attorney representing Thompson. “While we’re glad it’s over, it’s unjust that he was ever charged.”
Mike Rowland, the attorney who represented Adkins, also expressed appreciation for the grand jury’s decision.
“My client has cooperated and maintained his innocence from the beginning of this process,” Rowland said. “Certainly, he is relieved, and grateful to the Fayette County Grand Jury for their thoughtful and careful consideration regarding this case.”
Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney Kimberly Baird did not prosecute the case herself and wouldn’t comment on if she thought the grand jury’s decision was fair or right. But she did show respect to the grand jury and its role as a gatekeeper in the criminal justice system.
A grand jury consists of 12 people, and at least nine jurors need to vote for the case to move forward to issue an indictment. Baird said she doesn’t know how the grand jury voted.
Baird described the investigation and prosecutors’ presentation to the grand jury as thorough. One of the suspects testified, but Baird wouldn’t share whether it was Thompson or Adkins.
“If nine people can’t agree to indict a case, then maybe we should not go forward to trial to convince 12 unanimously,” Baird said.
According to the initial complaint warrant filed by a UK police officer, photos “indicated bruising to the victim’s neck and thigh areas, including what appears to be a cut on the victim’s neck.”
The document says another “co-offender” in the case told police Adkins “was heavily intoxicated and became more aggressive towards the victim as the unwanted sexual intercourse continued.”
According to court documents, both teens admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the woman and one was said to have provided photos and video of the victim’s injuries “upon request.”
Jay Blanton, a spokesperson for UK, said Thompson and Adkins are no longer students at the university but declined further comment.
Thompson and Adkins, who were 18 at the time of the accusations, turned themselves in March 2, 2025, five days after the charges were filed. They both posted $25,000 bonds the following day.
Herald-Leader staff writer Karla Ward contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 7:43 AM.
