Court documents say Sigmas did not start FSU fight with football players
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on December 04, 2008 FSU police officials say in court documents that a Nov. 12 campus brawl between football players and fraternity members started after one of the players struck a fraternity member in the face. In a probable-cause affidavit obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat , Florida State University police officials said receiver Cameron Wade struck Willie Gaines in the face outside the Oglesby student union, "which started this chain of events." Wade and fellow receiver Bert Reed were arrested Wednesday on one count each of misdemeanor battery. They were held briefly at the Leon County Jail and released after posting $500 bail. FSU police said Reed struck a woman who had gone to help fraternity members. FSU police officials said the fight involved football players and members of Phi Sigma Beta. They said that in addition to Reed and Wade, 12 people are suspected of taking part in the fight. "The suspects involved in this case did not retreat when this fight broke out," the document states, "but came forward to actively participate in it." However, it's unclear whether the 12 suspects will be prosecuted. FSU police reported in the court document that probable cause exists to charge the 12 with being in a public fight. But the State Attorney's Office has not signed off on the charges, said FSUPD Maj. Jim Russell. "They're the ones who have to battle it out in the courtroom," Russell said, referring to prosecutors, "so we respect their insight and point of view." Russell said it's "not impossible" that the 12 will be charged. He said FSU is continuing to gather evidence and look for the person who threw a chair and struck a woman in the face, causing her "extensive" injuries. "Our primary investigative focus remains determining who struck the female in the face with the chair," Russell said. "That is the most serious offense related to this whole thing." Fifteen witness statements are included in the probable-cause affidavit. Wade told officers he hit Gaines because he thought Gaines was going to hit football player Taiwan Easterling. Reed denied hitting anyone. Russell said the affidavit provides a "snapshot" of what happened that day. He said other records, which haven't been released because of the ongoing investigation, provide an even more detailed account of events. Easterling and fraternity member Wade Collins told FSU police they were involved in a fight late Nov. 6 or early Nov. 7 at Floyd's Music Store, a popular spot on the West Tennessee strip. The fight was broken up by security personnel at the business. Easterling said he was threatened by three people Nov. 9 at a local Sprint store. One was Gaines, he told police. Another was also a member of the fraternity. Errick Farmer, advisor for FSU's chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, said fraternity members didn't start the fight. "I believe the investigation has revealed that members of Phi Beta Sigma have not instigated this incident," said Farmer, who also serves as FAMU coordinator of academic affairs. "We're just waiting to see the outcome of this incident." A court date of Jan. 15 has been set for Wade and Reed. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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