(AP) -- A judge has thrown out a second-degree sexual abuse charge against former Iowa football player Cedric Everson, but his trial will continue on lesser charges.
Judge Paul Miller ruled Tuesday that prosecutors failed to show Everson was aided and abetted by his former teammate, Abe Satterfield, in the 2007 assault on a former University of Iowa athlete.
Miller says prosecutors needed to prove Everson received help to convict him of second-degree sexual abuse, but jurors can still consider third-degree sexual abuse, assault with intent to commit sex abuse and assault charges.
The ruling is a victory for Everson, who now faces a maximum of 10 years in prison instead of 25. His defense rested Tuesday without calling any witnesses.
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