Suspect charged in connection with Oct. 6 assault on campus

A 25-year-old Lansing man was arraigned Wednesday for a campus assault on a 19-year-old student, according to MSU police.

Jason H. Evans’ arraignment was connected to the fourth crime alert sent by MSU police this semester.

He reportedly approached a female student near Beaumont Tower and West Circle Drive and held a pocketknife to her neck. The woman was walking from the Main Library to Campbell Hall.

Evans reportedly fled the scene when two people approached the area, and the woman did not report any injuries.

“It’s just a relief to know he’s been apprehended,” MSU police Inspector Kelly Beck said.

“For a fairly serious crime, I’m glad things are coming together.”

Evans was arrested Tuesday night. Police released a composite sketch of the suspect Oct. 7.

Evans was charged before East Lansing 54-B District Court Judge David L. Jordon with one count of felonious assault with a dangerous weapon. He is being held in the Ingham County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

A pretrial appearance is set for Tuesday, with a preliminary examination scheduled for Oct. 24.

“It just reminds me not to walk around campus by myself at night,” physiology senior Jocelyn Frey said.

Zeb Perrin, a secondary education sophomore, is on campus once or twice a week for late classes. MSU seems pretty safe compared to some other universities, he said.

“I kind of take (the crime alerts) with a grain of salt,” he said. “If you’re going to go out, have somebody with you.”

Published on Wednesday, October 15, 2008