Rape Trial Begins

The rape trial of two SDSU basketball players begins today in Brookings:

The trial of a former South Dakota State University basketball player who is accused of rape begins today with a variety of student athletes expected to take the stand as witnesses.

Andre Gilbert of Brooklyn Park, Minn., is charged with first-degree burglary and second- and third-degree rape in connection with an assault that allegedly occurred in a dorm room on the school's Brookings campus Dec. 15, 2005.

All three charges are felonies.

If convicted, Gilbert could face 25 years in prison, $25,000 in fines or both.

Another former SDSU basketball player, Mohamed Berte of Ivory Coast, is charged in the same alleged incident with two counts of aiding and abetting Gilbert.

Berte also was charged with first-degree burglary and a misdemeanor count of sexual contact with a person capable of consenting who did not. His trial is scheduled to start in late January.

Both men pleaded not guilty and are free on bond. They were suspended from the basketball team. Gilbert returned to Minnesota while Berte remained on campus.