2008 Woodie Awards
Police drop charges against football players
Last week, police dropped charges against the six Guilford students under arrest for aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. This was because of "several factors, including conflicting witness statements," according to the district attorney's office.
Adra Cooper and Nasimeh Easton
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
On March 14, Greensboro police dropped all charges against the six Guilford students arrested after the Jan. 20 incident in Bryan Hall.
Michael Bates, Christopher Barnette, Jazz Favors, Micah Rushing, Michael Six, and Jonathan Underwood were facing charges of aggravated assault. All but Rushing also faced charges of ethnic intimidation.
Attorney Amiel Rossabi represented students Faris Khader and Osama Sabbah, who issued the warrants against the six students. Rossabi had previously stated that his clients were willing to drop all charges in return for a formal apology. Lawyers for Bates and Six issued a statement apologizing for their clients' involvement soon after the offer.
"We dropped the charges because we believe in reconciliation," said Sabbah. "If an apology is going to bring peace and not hate, we are going to accept it."
None of the students previously facing charges were available for comment.
According to The Greensboro News and Record, the Guilford County district attorney's office decided not to pursue the case because of "several factors, including conflicting witness statements."
On March 2, after almost 40 hours of hearings, Guilford College concluded its investigation of the incident. Though the six students charged faced the possibility of dismissal from the college, all of them remain enrolled.
Guilford's Judicial Board, which handles all school hearings, consists of both students and faculty. At the beginning of each semester, students apply for the board and, if selected, must undergo training before becoming a member. Each case is heard by a group of five students and two faculty administrators, all chosen at random.
"Judicial boards at Guilford College have traditionally sanctioned at a lower level than they could have," said dean for campus life, Aaron Fetrow. "Students are very reluctant to end the educational career of a peer."
All six students remain enrolled, but because the Judicial Board maintains confidentiality, specific outcomes of the hearings are not publicly known. Members of the community have criticized the secrecy of the board before, but some of those involved believe its private nature is necessary.
"People criticize the confidentiality of the judicial process; they see it as secretive," said Will Pizio, assistant professor of justice and policy studies. "But, frankly, the public is not entitled to the information. It's not a concern to the community."
Since the incident, Khader and Sabbah have begun a program sponsored by the Bonner Foundation. Through it, they travel to various high schools and colleges to speak about issues of acceptance and diversity.
"What we're doing is educating students about what happened. We're teaching them to forgive and accept other ideologies and always work for reconciliation and peace," said Sabbah.
Michael Bates, Christopher Barnette, Jazz Favors, Micah Rushing, Michael Six, and Jonathan Underwood were facing charges of aggravated assault. All but Rushing also faced charges of ethnic intimidation.
Attorney Amiel Rossabi represented students Faris Khader and Osama Sabbah, who issued the warrants against the six students. Rossabi had previously stated that his clients were willing to drop all charges in return for a formal apology. Lawyers for Bates and Six issued a statement apologizing for their clients' involvement soon after the offer.
"We dropped the charges because we believe in reconciliation," said Sabbah. "If an apology is going to bring peace and not hate, we are going to accept it."
None of the students previously facing charges were available for comment.
According to The Greensboro News and Record, the Guilford County district attorney's office decided not to pursue the case because of "several factors, including conflicting witness statements."
On March 2, after almost 40 hours of hearings, Guilford College concluded its investigation of the incident. Though the six students charged faced the possibility of dismissal from the college, all of them remain enrolled.
Guilford's Judicial Board, which handles all school hearings, consists of both students and faculty. At the beginning of each semester, students apply for the board and, if selected, must undergo training before becoming a member. Each case is heard by a group of five students and two faculty administrators, all chosen at random.
"Judicial boards at Guilford College have traditionally sanctioned at a lower level than they could have," said dean for campus life, Aaron Fetrow. "Students are very reluctant to end the educational career of a peer."
All six students remain enrolled, but because the Judicial Board maintains confidentiality, specific outcomes of the hearings are not publicly known. Members of the community have criticized the secrecy of the board before, but some of those involved believe its private nature is necessary.
"People criticize the confidentiality of the judicial process; they see it as secretive," said Will Pizio, assistant professor of justice and policy studies. "But, frankly, the public is not entitled to the information. It's not a concern to the community."
Since the incident, Khader and Sabbah have begun a program sponsored by the Bonner Foundation. Through it, they travel to various high schools and colleges to speak about issues of acceptance and diversity.
"What we're doing is educating students about what happened. We're teaching them to forgive and accept other ideologies and always work for reconciliation and peace," said Sabbah.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Mark Aman
posted 3/23/07 @ 1:41 AM EST
Judicial boards at Guilford College have traditionally sanctioned at a lower level than they could have," said dean for campus life, Aaron Fetrow. "Students are very reluctant to end the educational career of a peer. (Continued…)
Guilford Parent
posted 3/23/07 @ 8:16 AM EST
Will Pizio, assistant professor of justice and policy studies discussing Guilford's own Judicial Board was quoted as saying,
"People criticize the confidentiality of the judicial process; they see it as secretive. (Continued…)
John_Teague
John Teague
posted 3/23/07 @ 9:08 AM EST
Guilford Parent: I was thinking the exact same thing. Will Pizio has been uttering this kind of nonsense for years. Mr. FERPA himself should drop the word "justice" from his title. (Continued…)
Claudia L.
posted 3/23/07 @ 9:15 AM EST
I disagree with Mr. Pizio. It is very much a concern to the whole community!! How ridiculous is this comment. One forfeits his right to privacy when a breach of the public trust and laws are possibly committed. (Continued…)
Enough is enough
posted 3/23/07 @ 1:02 PM EST
It is no secret that the accusing visiting students are no innocent doves, but aggressive thugs themselves. They probably were told by their lawyer that, given the mutual character of the violence which took place that day, they wouldn't get any money out of their brazen accusations so they'd better drop it. (Continued…)
Guilford Alum
posted 3/23/07 @ 1:44 PM EST
Concerning "deja vu", please refer to an article which appeared in the Sept. 29, 06 edition of the Guilfordian entitled "Fight on campus brings community to the forum". (Continued…)
rozzie
posted 3/23/07 @ 6:03 PM EST
Personally, I believe that this story has been poorly reported by the guilfordian and others. Just to clear a couple of things up- 1. No football player ever apologized TO any other student involved in the incident. (Continued…)
Debbie
posted 3/26/07 @ 10:29 AM EST
Rozzie - you are so right. All the "protesters" have done is put away their little signs, arm bands etc... and crawl back into their hole until something else rowls them up. (Continued…)
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