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9 MSU football players charged with assault

December 9, 2009

Spencer

Nine MSU football players have been charged with assault for their involvement in the Nov. 22 altercation at Rather Hall, and MSU police say there might be more charges to come.

The players are junior safety Roderick Jenrette, sophomore running back Glenn Winston, sophomore wide receiver Fred Smith, sophomore wide receiver B.J. Cunningham, junior wide receiver Mark Dell, redshirt freshman linebacker Jamiihr
Williams, sophomore running back Ashton Leggett, junior offensive lineman J’Michael Deane and junior cornerback Chris L. Rucker.

MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said the investigation is ongoing and there still are more individuals to be identified. As police gather more information, they will submit reports to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, he said.

Eleven players have been suspended from the MSU football team and two players have been dismissed.

MSU Associate Athletics Director of Communications John Lewandowski issued a statement Wednesday adding Deane, sophomore wide receiver Chris D. Rucker and redshirt freshman defensive back Donald Spencer to the list of players suspended from the team.

Jenrette and Winston were kicked off the team Nov. 24 for violating team rules, while Cunningham, Smith, Dell, Williams, Leggett, Chris L. Rucker, Ishmyl Johnson and Brynden Trawick were suspended Dec. 1.

Each of the charged players received one count of conspiracy to commit assault and battery, which is a misdemeanor charge carrying a maximum of one year in jail.

All of them also were charged with at least one count of assault or assault and battery, which are misdemeanors with a 93-day maximum sentence.

Jenrette received three counts of assault or assault and battery, and Winston and Leggett received two.

Police previously identified all of the charged players as being present at the Rather Hall incident except for Deane, Chris D. Rucker and Spencer.

Johnson and Trawick were identified as being present at the Rather Hall incident, but have not been charged with crimes.

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said there might be more charges pending the findings of the police investigation. Footage from the Rather Hall lobby security cameras, as well as reports from the police was used to charge the players, he said.

Dunlap said there are more interviews the police will conduct, but specific individuals have not been identified publicly.

Dunnings said the nine charged Wednesday are the only charges as of now. Although those charged have been identified as members of the MSU football team, he said he did not identify anyone based on their affiliation.

“I don’t know who is a fraternity member, I don’t know who is a football player,” he said. “I have no idea what their affiliation is and I don’t care. All I see are suspects, witnesses and victims.”

Witnesses have said the Nov. 22 incident occurred when a group of 15 to 20 football players stormed into a Rather Hall lounge where members of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity were holding a potluck. Witnesses said they were seeking a particular fraternity member and when they discovered he wasn’t present, a fight ensued.

The fraternity released a statement following the altercation saying members of the team were involved in a Nov. 21 fight at The Small Planet, 16800 Chandler Road, which might have led to the Rather Hall incident.

Detwan Chapman, a spokesman for the fraternity, declined to comment Wednesday.

Head football coach Mark Dantonio has said none of the suspended players will attend the Alamo bowl, regardless of whether they are charged.

Staff writer Brittany Shammas contributed to this report.

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