Post by Bornthrilla on Apr 5, 2005 21:51:40 GMT -5
www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Headlines/03SportsFBC01040505.htm |
'Cats Weems arrested
By MARK HARPER
Staff Writer
Last update: April 05, 2005
DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman star slotback Eric Weems was arrested early Saturday, charged with punching a school security guard and inciting a crowd against the victim and city police, a police report shows.
Weems, a sophomore who led the Wildcats in rushing and touchdowns last fall, was charged with battery and disorderly conduct.
Police said the former Seabreeze High standout struck a college security officer with a closed fist, then shouted at a crowd of people outside Bronson Hall at 1:30 a.m. Some in the crowd had to restrain Weems from entering the building, the report states.
The security officer, Emerson Beckles, told police he and Weems were arguing in his office when Weems struck him. A "light swelling" was visible on Beckles' face, police said.
Weems' mother Cheryl said Monday that her son and two teammates -- freshman quarterback Jimmie Russell and junior defensive back/kick returner Ricky Williams -- had been suspended from school for one year after a fight broke out at an on-campus dance about two weeks ago. She said the football players were blamed for the fight by another student, but that they did not participate.
College President Trudie Kibbe Reed said Monday she was unaware of the arrest, and that she is investigating a disciplinary committee recommendation. Neither athletics director Lynn Thompson nor coach Alvin Wyatt returned calls seeking comment.
Cheryl Weems said Beckles approached her son and told him to "get his (things) and get out, and be out by 5 o'clock" p.m. A fight broke out and Eric Weems was punched in the chin and suffered a bruise on his left arm, she said.
"He hit my son," she said. "My son defended himself."
Weems' mother also said Monday she was intending to file a complaint against Beckles with the State Attorney's Office, although later in the day, a spokeswoman for the office, Linda Pruitt, said no such complaint was made.
Weems rushed for 541 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He averaged 9.8 yards per carry. He also caught 35 balls and scored two receiving touchdowns.
'Cats Weems arrested
By MARK HARPER
Staff Writer
Last update: April 05, 2005
DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman star slotback Eric Weems was arrested early Saturday, charged with punching a school security guard and inciting a crowd against the victim and city police, a police report shows.
Weems, a sophomore who led the Wildcats in rushing and touchdowns last fall, was charged with battery and disorderly conduct.
Police said the former Seabreeze High standout struck a college security officer with a closed fist, then shouted at a crowd of people outside Bronson Hall at 1:30 a.m. Some in the crowd had to restrain Weems from entering the building, the report states.
The security officer, Emerson Beckles, told police he and Weems were arguing in his office when Weems struck him. A "light swelling" was visible on Beckles' face, police said.
Weems' mother Cheryl said Monday that her son and two teammates -- freshman quarterback Jimmie Russell and junior defensive back/kick returner Ricky Williams -- had been suspended from school for one year after a fight broke out at an on-campus dance about two weeks ago. She said the football players were blamed for the fight by another student, but that they did not participate.
College President Trudie Kibbe Reed said Monday she was unaware of the arrest, and that she is investigating a disciplinary committee recommendation. Neither athletics director Lynn Thompson nor coach Alvin Wyatt returned calls seeking comment.
Cheryl Weems said Beckles approached her son and told him to "get his (things) and get out, and be out by 5 o'clock" p.m. A fight broke out and Eric Weems was punched in the chin and suffered a bruise on his left arm, she said.
"He hit my son," she said. "My son defended himself."
Weems' mother also said Monday she was intending to file a complaint against Beckles with the State Attorney's Office, although later in the day, a spokeswoman for the office, Linda Pruitt, said no such complaint was made.
Weems rushed for 541 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He averaged 9.8 yards per carry. He also caught 35 balls and scored two receiving touchdowns.