Former NFL star Meggett gets 30 years in rape case

A Charleston County jury convicted former NFL star David Meggett of burglary and rape Wednesday in connection to a January 2009 attack inside a North Charleston home.

Circuit Judge Kristi Harrington sentenced Meggett to 30 years, to be served concurrently, on both charges. He won't be eligible for parole for more than 25 years.

Meggett's attorney, Beattie Butler of the Charleston County Public Defender's Office, said Meggett will appeal. Butler had argued that Meggett and the woman had consensual sex that night and later argued. Meggett didn't testify and passed up a chance to speak to the court before Harrington sentenced him.

The victim, whose teary testimony lasted more than one hour Monday, appeared more serene Wednesday after the verdict. Assistant 9th Circuit Solicitor Culver Kidd hugged her afterward and told her she was very brave.

Meggett also faces charges in a September 2008 incident in which a teenager told police she met Meggett through a mutual friend and he forced to her have sex at a Railroad Avenue home after inviting her to breakfast.

Prosecutors aren't sure if they will pursue that case, which Assistant Solicitor Chad Simpson said was weaker than the incident that led to this week's three-day trail.

Read more in Thursday's editions of The Post and Courier.