Tristen Killman-Hardin Pleads No Contest to Raping Unconscious Teen

Tristen Killman-Hardin, the Norman, Oklahoma man who was accused of rape by three high school classmates, entered a no contest plea today on charges that he raped one of them while she was unconscious. Killman-Hardin, 18, admitted to the rape in an audio recording obtained by Jezebel in November.

According to court records, Killman-Hardin was sentenced to ten years in prison, but eight of them have been suspended. With credit for time served, he will serve around 15 months in prison. The Cleveland County District Attorney’s office confirmed the plea to Jezebel. Killman-Hardin will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Our November story referred to Killman-Hardin’s victim as “Grace,” who was then 16. In a conversation with a friend, he admitted to having raped her while she was, in his words, “asleep” and “incoherent.” Two other girls at Norman High School also accused Killman-Hardin of rape; he has not been criminally charged in those alleged incidents. The girls all said they were harassed and bullied out of school following the rapes, and accused Norman administrators of doing little to stop the bullying. They have all since returned to school and are doing well.

Update, 12:50 p.m.: Yes All Daughters — the feminist knitting circle turned activist organization who helped bring Killman-Hardin to justice — also launched a petition today in support of the Teach Safe Relationships Act. The bill is sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine of Viriginia; it would create new funding to help teach sexual assault prevention in schools, including education on relationship abuse, domestic abuse, and sexual violence and harassment. The Yes All Daughters petition supporting the bill is here.

Tristen Killman-Hardin. Image via Facebook