University of California at Berkeley football player Damaria Drew pleaded not guilty today to a charge of felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury for an alleged attack on another student on May 4.
Drew, who is free on $100,000 bail, is scheduled to return to Alameda County Superior Court on May 22 for a pretrial hearing as well as on May 29 for a preliminary hearing.
[Related article: Cal Football Player Charged with Felony Assault]
Berkeley police Officer Peter Hong said in a probable cause statement that Drew, 20, a defensive back, got into a confrontation with another student at a fundraising event at 2722 Bancroft Way sometime between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on May 4, The confrontation involved the other student's dog.
The victim said Drew kicked his dog but Drew told police that the dog had bitten him, according to Hong. The victim said Drew threatened him and then punched him at least three times, Hong said. Two witnesses identified Drew as the suspect and independently confirmed the victim's account of the incident, according to Hong.
The victim probably will need to have reconstructive surgery, Hong said. Cal Athletics officials said Drew has been suspended indefinitely from the team pending further information about the incident.
Drew's lawyer, Darryl Stallworth, said he is investigating the incident "to find out what really happened" and then will decide how he will proceed in defending Drew against the charges against him.
—By Bay City News
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