| | Associated Press
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State plans an investigation of
quarterback Rashard Casey, who is accused of beating an off-duty
police officer unconscious in what might be a racial attack.
Casey has pleaded innocent to aggravated assault in connection
with a beating outside a bar in Hoboken, N.J. on Sunday.
The school could suspend or expel Casey regardless of the
outcome of his case, spokesman Bill Mahon said Tuesday.
Casey's status on the team remains the same until "the judicial
process takes its course," sports information director Jeff Nelson
said Tuesday.
Casey has been tapped as next season's starting quarterback.
"Rashard has not been a discipline problem during his time at
Penn State and the conduct alleged in the charges is inconsistent
with the personality he's demonstrated to me and the members of the
coaching staff," coach Joe Paterno said. "I hope and expect he
will be exonerated when all of the facts are examined."
Police said Casey, 22, punched Officer Patrick Fitzsimmons, 34,
as he was walking to his car outside a Hoboken, N.J., bar early
Sunday. Casey and high school teammate Desmond Miller, 22, kicked
the officer in the head once he fell and continued to kick him
after he lost consciousness.
Police said it may have been racially motivated. Fitzsimmons,
who is white, was at the bar with a black woman. A witness said
Casey and Miller, who are black, yelled at the woman that she
shouldn't be with a white man.
Casey is enrolled at Penn State's summer session and his plans
have not changed, Nelson said. Classes began Monday. It is unknown
whether he has attended class. | |
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