Baylor to re-assign president Kenneth Starr, fire football coach

“WACO, Texas (KWTX) A question during News 10’s interview with former Baylor Chancellor and President Ken Starr about a rape victim’s email that was sent to his office and to several other officials led to an awkward interruption during which a well-known crisis management specialist convinced Starr to change his response.

Crisis management specialist Merrie Spaeth (right), and former Baylor President Ken Starr re-enter the room after Spaeth interrupted Starr’s interview with Julie Hays (left). (Photo by Randy Davis)

The email, with a subject line that read, “I was raped at Baylor”, was sent by a former student who says she was raped while attending the school in 2010.

The woman, who has not been identified, told ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” Wednesday morning that she did not believe Starr’s call for transparency was genuine because he never responded to her email.

KWTX anchor Julie Hays asked Starr if he had seen it, he first responded “I honestly may have. I’m not denying that I saw it.”

After he answered, Merrie Spaeth, whom Starr had introduced as a family friend, approached KWTX News Director, Mikel Lauber, who was positioned behind the camera during the interview.

Lauber says Spaeth asked him to promise to not use that portion of the interview.”​