UM football player charged with assault

A University of Memphis football player was arrested on simple assault charges in connection with the on-campus attack of a student at the recreation center.

Shelby County officers arrested Derek Howard, a defensive back, on Jan. 17 for the incident that occurred in November. He posted a $1,000 bond and has a court date set for March 23.

Devin Clark, a former Memphis football player who is no longer a student at The U of M, has an outstanding warrant for his arrest on simple assault charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the attack.  Clark was on the team in 2010.

In compliance with University policy, Howard, who is still enrolled at The U of M, has been suspended from team practices and competitions until the "matter is brought to closure," said head football coach Justin Fuente.

The policy states that if a student-athlete is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor crime of violence, he or she shall be suspended immediately from all playing and practicing privileges.

Pending a separate investigation by judicial affairs, Howard could face academic suspension or dismissal from The University if found to have violated a student code, according to Ben Morton, associate dean of students for judicial and ethical programs.

Howard and Clark face misdemeanor charges, but according to U of M director of public safety Bruce Harber, the charges could be upgraded to a felony.  He said the report was initially classified as an aggravated assault based on the injuries obtained by the student victim, who was attacked after an argument over a basketball game.

"The charges can be changed to aggravated assault at a later time if the courts/prosecution deem it appropriate," Harber said in an email Thursday.

Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft said assault is "when you cause someone bodily injury" and an assault becomes aggravated assault "when there is serious bodily injury."

Aggravated assault is a felony and carries three to 15 years in prison. Assault is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 11 months and 29 days and a $2,500 fine.

Freshman Brandon Transou, 18, identified Howard in a photo lineup as one of his attackers, according to a police affidavit.

The affidavit said Clark waived his Miranda rights and told police he hit someone who was "coming towards him."

In an interview Thursday, Transou said he was playing basketball at the recreation center with his friends on Nov. 8 when another group of students challenged him for the court.

After the altercation, when he and his group of friends were outside the building, a group of 25 to 30 people jumped him and his friends, he said.

The fight ended when Transou was knocked unconscious. He was transported to the Regional Medical Center with a broken nose and jaw and later had to have surgery, according to a police affidavit.

"Yeah, I had to get a metal plate and a screw," he said Thursday.

Attempts to contact Clark and Howard were unsuccessful.