U-M football players arraigned for alleged attack

[clevfan]

U-M football players arraigned for alleged attack

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

University of Michigan football players Carson Butler and Chris Richards were arraigned Wednesday in Ann Arbor's 15th District Court, each on one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault and battery.

They allegedly attacked a U-M student in the West Quad residence hall last Saturday.

Butler and Richards entered not-guilty pleas and each was released on $5,000 bond. They have a pre-trial hearing Tuesday.

According to Diane Brown, a spokeswoman for the U-M Department of Public Safety, the two players were visiting a friend in the West Quad residence, when the alleged victim also dropped by the room to visit that individual.

"Then, the two football players started beating on him, according to the victim," Brown said. "The victim reports he doesn't know why."

The student was taken to the U-M Medical Center for treatment for his injuries. Brown said she was informed he was released that evening from the hospital.

Aggravated assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, and assault and battery is punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

Butler already has had issues with the Michigan football program. Coach Lloyd Carr said last week that Butler, a tight end from Detroit, would not participate in spring drills, apparently for a violation of team policy.

Richards is a backup defensive back. He also has another case pending on a charge for illegal entry to campus last year. Brown said that the residence hall had closed for the winter semester but Richards "decided he wasn't going to leave. He did not have authorization to stay there."

Richards did not appear for his arraignment on that charge, and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.