THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997 TAG: 9701280414
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG, VA. LENGTH: 32 lines
A misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from an attack on a Virginia Tech track athlete was dismissed against former Tech football player Greg Melvin.
``I feel good,'' Melvin said Monday after his brief court appearance. ``I can get on with my life now.''
Montgomery County Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith asked Circuit Judge Willis Woods to dismiss the case. He said the victim, Hilliard Sumner III, could not identify Melvin as one of his attackers.
Melvin, who was not a Tech football player at the time of the Aug. 31 attack, and seven Tech football players were indicted Nov. 6 after a two-month investigation.
Sumner, whose collarbone was broken, told police that 12 to 15 football players hit, kicked and beat him with a cane after starting a fight with one of his friends.
Bev Davis, Melvin's attorney, said his client was with the group when the fight broke out and the charge against Melvin was ``guilt by association.''
Melvin is no longer a Tech student. He said he plans to return but will not play football.
The other seven cases are pending.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA TECH ASSAULT DISMISSED CHARGES FOOTBALL
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