The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A University of Georgia student was accused of attacking a teenage runner during a high school cross-country race in Newnan, Georgia.
According to the Newnan Police Department, officers responded shortly before 8 a.m. on September 26 after receiving a report of an assault during the Coweta Cup Cross Country Championship at Newnan High School. Witnesses reported seeing a male come out of the woods during the race. He was reportedly wearing an East Coweta High School cross-country jersey and carrying rocks.
Police said the man ran toward a teenage runner, pushed him and punched him. The teen fought back, and the alleged attacker ran into the woods.
The suspect later turned himself in to Newnan police officers in a nearby parking lot. Police said they believed he had changed clothes, and they allegedly found an East Coweta jersey inside his vehicle.
Police identified the man as a 19-year-old local. He was arrested and charged with battery, and it was unclear whether the suspect had retained an attorney. He reportedly told investigators that he knew the teen but said they were not friends and had no issues between them. Investigators said he described the incident as a prank that went wrong.
Police said the suspect was a former member of the cross-country team at Northgate High School who now attends the University of Georgia in Athens, and it was later confirmed that the suspect was not a current or former student at East Coweta High School.
According to investigators, he drove from Athens to Newnan on Friday night, slept in his vehicle and put on the East Coweta jersey the following morning.
At the time this was written, the authorities had not disclosed a motive for the alleged attack.
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.