Utah judge dismisses rape case against former BYU football star Parker Kingston

Utah’s 5th District Court Judge Jay Winward dismissed a rape charge against former BYU Cougars receiver Parker Kingston on Thursday after denying another request to delay the jury trial. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning charges could be filed in the future.

Kingston was set for a jury trial right after the Fourth of July weekend, but Winward denied prosecutors' request for a delay in the case and dismissed.

On February 11, Kingston was charged with first-degree felony rape following an investigation into a 20-year-old woman reporting a sexual assault. Two days later, BYU announced he was no longer affiliated with the school after being released on bond.

"Prosecutors asked for a written ruling on the decision not to delay the case, which is needed to initiate an appeal, and said they still would not be ready for the trial, asking instead for a status conference next week," according to Deseret News.

"Instead of setting a status conference, Winward said he is allowed to dismiss a case if he finds it would further justice and if either party has requested it. He dismissed the case without prejudice, noting that the alleged victim could seek to bring it back at any time.

"Winward reviewed the potential impacts on everyone involved before deciding not to delay the case. He said prosecutors delayed filing the case for a year so the woman who came forward to accuse Kingston of rape had time to prepare, and he was not sure that there was support that if she was not ready to testify now, she would be in a few months."

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This leaves Kingston eligible for the 2026 college football season, but he won't be returning to BYU. The Cougars leading receiver last season racked up 66 receptions for 924 yards and five touchdowns. Kingston also rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns, and returned a punt for a TD, earning First Team All-Big-12 honors.

BYU's receiver room will look dramatically different from last season. With Kingston gone, along with the departures of wide receiver Chase Roberts and tight end Carsen Ryan, the Cougars will replace its top three pass catchers from 2025.

The Roy, Utah product joined BYU as part of the 2022 recruiting class. The three-star had 2,649 passing yards, 2,136 rushing yards, 542 receiving yards, and 64 total touchdowns in high school.

There's been no indication from the prosecution on a timeline of when charges could be filed in the case. Kingston could try to revamp his career with another school or try and enter the NFL Supplemental Draft at this point. Either way, his football career is out of his hands.