Smith
Three more MSU football players have pleaded not guilty to assault charges for their alleged role in an on-campus fight last month.
The arraignments of sophomore wide receiver Fred Smith, junior cornerback Chris L. Rucker and junior safety Roderick Jenrette, who was dismissed from the team, mean all nine players charged have pleaded not guilty. The charges stem from a November fight, which witnesses said was between members of the MSU football team and the Iota Phi Theta fraternity.
Smith and Rucker both pleaded not guilty last week at East Lansing’s 54-B District Court to one count of conspiracy to commit assault and battery and one count of assault and battery. Jenrette pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit assault and battery and three counts of assault and battery.
Smith, Rucker and Jenrette are scheduled for pre-trial conferences on Jan. 14.
In all, 12 MSU football players have been suspended indefinitely and two have been dismissed by head coach Mark Dantonio for their alleged roles in two altercations the weekend of the fight.
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