Charges filed against 7 Spartans
Charges have been filed against seven Michigan State football players for their involvement in a melee in the Lloyd Carr tunnel following the Michigan football‘s 29-7 victory over MSU in Ann Arbor.
Video showed several MSU players hitting and kicking two U-M players separately, later identified as Ja’Den McBurrows and Gemon Green.
After weeks of investigation from the Big Ten, University of Michigan Police and Michigan State University Police, witness testimony, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office released their findings on Wednesday afternoon.
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“Following the altercation between members of the Michigan and Michigan State football teams on October 29, the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (UMDPSS) conducted a thorough investigation into potential criminal liability,” a statement released Wednesday afternoon read. “At the conclusion of that investigation, UMDPSS submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office a request for criminal charges against several individuals — all student-athletes on the Michigan State football team.”
After reviewing the evidence and the law, the Prosecutor’s Office has authorized these charges:
- Khary Crump: One count of felonious assault, in violation of MCL 750.82, a felony
- Itayvion Brown: One count of aggravated assault, in violation of MCL 750.81a, a misdemeanor
- Angelo Grose: One count of aggravated assault, in violation of MCL 750.81a, a misdemeanor
- Justin White: One count of aggravated assault, in violation of MCL 750.81a, a misdemeanor
- Brandon Wright: One count of aggravated assault, in violation of MCL 750.81a, a misdemeanor
- Zion Young: One count of aggravated assault, in violation of MCL 750.81a, a misdemeanor
- Jacoby Windmon: One count of assault & battery, in violation of MCL 750.81, a misdemeanor
The statement goes on to say that all charges are merely allegations.
“At the University of Michigan we appreciate the thoughtful, deliberate approach from the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to this unfortunate incident,” said Michigan president Santa J. Ono in a statement. “We also want to express our concern for all the players involved, especially those who were injured.
“The University of Michigan will continue to cooperate fully with any additional reviews of this matter.”
Dave Ablauf, a spokesman for Michigan football, said the team did not have any further comment beyond that of the president.
While one attorney representing an undisclosed MSU player said there was evidence the Michigan players may have started the incident, neither of them were charged criminally.
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“We can have no further comment beyond the statement per our rules of professional conduct,” an assistant in the prosecutor’s office told the Free Press.
Eight MSU players were suspended by the team, the seven who charges have been charged as well as Malcolm Jones.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh spoke the following Monday, saying that “an apology” was not enough and he expected criminal charges to be filed.
The eight suspended players have not suited up for the Spartans or been a part of team activities since the incident. MSU’s regular season finale is Saturday at Penn State.
Free Press sports writer Chris Solari contributed to this report. Contact Tony Garcia at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @realtonygarcia.
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