Read the introduction to
"Guilty Until Proven Innocent—The Karen Sypher Story"
On December of 2008, Karen Cunagin Sypher decided it was time to bring to light a secret that had been haunting her for years. A secret that caused her more pain than she was willing to carry on, or able to carry anymore. She felt like a murderer; and the events that led to her feeling that way were even more injurious.
During the holiday season of 2008, things at the Sypher home were not as wonderful as it may have appeared to her family and friends on the outside. Karen and her husband Tim Sypher were having a hard time keeping the flame of their 4 year marriage going. There was trouble in the marriage, and it had been going on for quite some time.
Tim, who was the equipment manager at the University of Louisville, had come into Karen's life in 2003 during a very emotional time of her life. He was like "The knight in shining armor", but Karen would soon learn the true motive behind meeting him, his advances, and the actual meaning he was placed in her life.
Tim worked for the University of Louisville's basketball team, under head coach, Rick Pitino. Karen felt it was her responsibility and duty as a wife to be supportive of him and the University of Louisville's team; so, it was not un-usual for her to attend the games at home; and eventually with the coaches and staff on the school's private jets, travel to out of town games. Another familiar face at the games was a priest by the name of Father Edward Bradley.
Father Bradley was the priest who prayed for the coach and team before the games; and he was considered to be a close friend to coach Rick Pitino. Since Father Bradley was always around, Karen got a chance to get to know him. In addition to that, she was raised a Catholic and felt comfortable talking to him.
On this particular night in December of 2008, after a home conference game win; Father Bradley invited Karen and her husband Tim out to dinner at Morton's Steakhouse in Louisville.
Tim Sypher had been drinking heavily that night, and Father Bradley noticed that Karen looked troubled. He asked her if she was ok? Karen in turn smiled and shook her head as if to say "No"..., but she chose not to verbally say anything at that time.
A few minutes later, Tim excused himself and went to the men's restroom leaving Karen and Father Bradley alone. Karen then said, "I would like to confess something, but I don't want anyone to know about it." She then took a deep breath, and told Father Bradley that she had been raped by Rick Pitino.
Rick Pitino, one of the most prominent and winning coaches in the University of Louisville's history, a man whose achievements were known on the court, and off the court. A successful motivational speaker and author; A person whose success and coaching acumen had brought in millions of dollars of revenue to himself, and the University of Louisville from adoring fans attending games; and millions more from endorsement. A Mammoth. A God.
Father Bradley's response was one of "shock". Karen then said, "I also conceived , and I aborted the baby... It's killing me." Father Bradley looked at her strangely, then told Karen to forgive herself. After her confession, he absolved her sin for the abortion and instantly turned "cold" towards her.
When Tim Sypher returned from the restroom, there was very little to say after that bombshell between Father Bradley and Karen... and Tim was clueless of it all. They said their good-byes and parted ways.
That was the last time Karen saw Father Bradley, and it was the beginning of her trip to "Hell", and the biggest publicized "railroad" in Kentucky's history.