Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 31, 1990 TAG: 9007310096
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Starting safety Damien Russell and redshirt freshman lineman Jeff Russell Gallman were charged with attacking a Tech student at an off-campus party the weekend of July 21-22. Beamer said both players have been suspended until the case is resolved.
Beamer also suspended little-used rising sophomore wide receiver Kevin Bennett, who was not involved in the fighting incident, for one year because of conduct below "standards expected of a Tech player."
Russell, regarded as one of the team's best athletes, was the Hokies' seventh-leading tackler last year with 62 stops and had two interceptions. Gallman, a 6-foot-5, 275-pounder, was considered a project. Both players are from Washington, D.C.
In a statement released by the school Monday afternoon, Beamer said he suspended Russell and Gallman for the good of the team and so they could concentrate on their case.
"This action in no way infers innocence or guilt on their part, but clears the way for the courts to handle the matter and for these young men to proceed with a proper defense," Beamer said in the statement. "It simply is not fair to Jeff and Damien or to the football team for these two players have the distraction of being involved in the sport while they attempt to clear their names. There is no question the suspensions are best for the Virginia Tech football program."
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Curtis Schwab said that, as of late last week, a date had not been set for the preliminary hearing.
Schwab said the complaint, filed by Tech student Bernard Jordan, states that Jordan was hit and knocked to the floor, and continued to receive blows while he was on the ground. The other defendant, Jordan said in the complaint, then came over and "stomped" on Jordan. Schwab said the complaint did not indicate that weapons were used.
Schwab said Jordan had his injuries treated at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg and was released.
Neither Russell nor his lawyer, Joe Painter, could be reached for comment Monday. Gallman could not be reached. Gallman's court-appointed attorney, Greg Campbell, said he was vacationing last week and had not received the paperwork for the case.
Malicious wounding is a felony for which the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison. But a Blacksburg lawyer said it is possible the charge could be reduced to a misdemeanor of assault and battery.
"In cases where no weapons are used even with injuries, often it's difficult to prove the felony of malicious wounding," the lawyer said.
Thomas Goodale, Virginia Tech's vice president for student affairs, said the university will consider disciplinary action against the three students who were involved in the altercation, which Schwab said occurred at a Blacksburg apartment complex.
Goodale said Monday that any university action will be taken after the case is resolved in court. If Tech finds the students violated the school's code of conduct, Goodale said, it could reprimand the students' action in a letter to the students; put the students on probation with the threat of suspension if another similar incident occurs; suspend the students from school, leaving open the possibility of the students re-enrolling at a later date; or expel the students.
In Bennett's case, Beamer said the Miami, Fla., native's situation would be evaluated next year, "and it will be determined whether he can return to the Tech program."
Asked Monday to specify why Bennett was suspended, Beamer said: "That's really between Kevin and myself and the members of the football program. You can imagine some of the things I would be talking about. It covers a lot of different areas."
Bennett, 6-4 and 180 pounds, caught five passes for 63 yards last year and also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play.
The statement released by Tech said that Bennett, Russell, Gallman and Jordan remain enrolled at Tech.
by CNB