ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office has charged seven members of the Michigan State University football team in the wake of the incident in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium following this year's Michigan-Michigan State game.
Six of the players have been charged with misdemeanors, while one player has been charged with a felony.
The charges are as follows:
- 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
Todd Flood, a longtime prosecutor and defense attorney, weighed in on the charges announced today.
"Going from the top to the bottom, you have a four-year felony with the felonious assault, then you have five counts of the 1-year misdemeanor, the aggravated assault, and then the 90-day misdemeanor with regards to the assault and battery," said Flood.
Flood said they are all serious charges that could have a lasting impact on the students.
"You're changing the trajectory of each one of these kids' lives, but there's victims involved here," said Flood. "It's a black eye and a black mark to the university, to the team, and you take your hat off to the prosecutor that charged it, because he took it serious and he made these calls."
The incident and outcome, Flood said, will likely be a teaching opportunity for other coaches and players.
"We can use this to help our sports and to help our athletes learn what they can't do and how to control their emotion, and ... get to a place of, what we do on the field is not what we do off the field. We have to represent our university, be gentlemen. And, you know, that's a big lesson," he said.
Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., issued the following statement:
The university and our athletic department will continue to evaluate this matter and cooperate with any investigative reviews.
While we do not condone the actions taken by some football players on Oct. 29, we will support our student-athletes through this process. They are students first, and their academic journey continues. MSU believes strongly in restorative justice practices and the education around harmful actions.
I do not condone inappropriate behavior by anyone on our campus or when representing MSU. And consequences, which were announced today, are part of a learning environment. But I also believe that as universities, we must make our respective environments safe places for competition. The rivalry between our two schools predates the current presidents and will likely last long into the future. But student success is more important than any score and I am committed to working with the University Michigan to enable that success on the field and in all of the places and spaces where rivalry foreshortens any student's pathway to that success. My commitment is to make changes that are meaningful to that goal and report back to the community before the end of the year.
Michigan is a state of opportunity with great research universities and incredible faculty, staff, students, and athletic teams. Working, not as rivals but on behalf of our shared educational mission will enable a positive future for all.
The University of Michigan has not yet commented on the charges. This article will be updated with any statements they release.
After the Spartans' 29-7 loss to the Wolverines, video showed Michigan State players kicking and punching a Michigan player. Eight players were suspended by MSU in the wake of the incident.
