Student Accused Of Falsely Reporting Rape Claims Psychiatric Disability: Report

FAIRFIELD, CT — Nikki Yovino, 19, the former Sacred Heart University student accused of falsely reporting being raped by two former football players at the school, will undergo a psychological evaluation after filing an application in court Friday contending that she was suffering from a psychiatric disability, according to the Connecticut Post.

Daniel Tepfer of the Post reports that a judge will decide following a Sept. 8 hearing whether Yovino is eligible for a pretrial diversionary program that could lead to the charges against her being dismissed if she successfully completed the program. The prosecution plans to object to the filing.

The prosecution previously offered a plea bargain of two years in prison followed by three years’ probation or to go to trial. (To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Yovino, of South Setauket, Long Island, was arrested in February after Bridgeport Police say she recanted her original story, which alleged that the two men raped her in a basement bathroom at a house party on Lakeside Drive in Bridgeport on Oct. 14.

Yovino, who was 18 at the time, was charged with second-degree filing a false report and tampering with evidence.

Yovino initially reported to Bridgeport Police last October that she was sexually assaulted by a Sacred Heart University football player and another man who was a former student.

Police say they conducted a thorough investigation and met several times with Sacred Heart administrators.

"Initial statements from witnesses and evidence recovered from the scene suggested that a sexual assault had occurred," Bridgeport Police said in a press release following the arrest. "As the investigation continued, the case detective received more information that contradicted Yovino's statements to police. This information included new witness accounts, text messages and cell phone video. Yovino was confronted with this evidence, and admitted that she, in fact, did have consensual sex with both males."

Read more about Friday’s court appearance at the Connecticut Post here.

Photo via the Bridgeport Police Department