DeLone trial

[kramer]

Blake testifies in DeLone's trial

 

What could Blake possible say in his defense?

 

Testimony Under Way In DeLone Assault Trial

 

IF . . . it turns out to be an accident, there may be a greater chance for a lawsuit against the University of Oklahoma for putting fans in a dangerous situation.

[Hunter94]

this situation at OK. was bound to be a problem sometime, imagine letting a bunch of kids on the edge of the field with mock guns, harassing the visiting teams players......what kind of misguided AD would allow that activity to take place on on his homefield? OU needs to get their act together and fast.......

 

hunter

[kramer]

Coachs Blake and Wagner along with Asst Coach McClure and 9 NU football players maybe called to testify in defense of former Husker DeLone.

 

Very impressive list IMO.

 

Nine Nebraska football players and three coaches are on a witness list submitted by defense attorneys for a former Husker offensive lineman on trial for felony aggravated assault and battery.

 

Isaacs has called for testimony from the three coaches as well as defensive linemen Titus Adams, Adam Carriker, Wali Muhammad, Le Kevin Smith and Benard Thomas and offensive linemen Greg Austin, Mike Erickson, Seppo Evwaraye and Nick Povendo.

 

"If these people know the facts, you need to hear from them, right?" Isaacs asked potential jurors.

[kramer]

this situation at OK. was bound to be a problem sometime, imagine letting a bunch of kids on the edge of the field with mock guns, harassing the visiting teams players......what kind of misguided AD would allow that activity to take place on on his homefield? OU needs to get their act together and fast.......

 

hunter

Regardless you can't have 300 pound lineman punchingh other people. Self control.........

[DaveH]

this situation at OK. was bound to be a problem sometime, imagine letting a bunch of kids on the edge of the field with mock guns, harassing the visiting teams players......what kind of misguided AD would allow that activity to take place on on his homefield? OU needs to get their act together and fast.......

 

hunter

Regardless you can't have 300 pound lineman punchingh other people. Self control.........

Well yea, but it doesn't give the Oklahoma kids a free ticket to do whatever they want.

[diehard]

I wonder if this incident will change anything at OU or do you think they will keep letting these guys harass the other teams?

[kramer]

John Blake has just testified that one of his Dlinemen hit the RufNek and not Deleone.

 

 

Former OU coach testifies in assault trial

 

 

By The Associated Press

 

NORMAN -- Former Oklahoma head coach John Blake testified Thursday that one of his defensive linemen at Nebraska plowed into an Oklahoma spirit squad member and not an offensive lineman on trial for felony assault.

 

Blake, who coached the Sooners from 1996 to 1998, testified that defensive end Wali Muhammad accidentally slammed into Adam Merritt, 19, during drills prior to the Cornhuskers' game at Oklahoma on Nov. 13, 2004.

 

Former Nebraska offensive lineman Darren DeLone is on trial on one felony charge of aggravated assault and battery. He has pleaded innocent.

 

The charge carries a possible punishment of up to five years in prison.

 

Blake was on the field coaching at the time of the collision and said he witnessed Muhammad and DeLone participating in a full-speed drill just prior to the game when DeLone shoved Muhammad toward a group of spectators. "He was shoving Wali, and as Wali went flying, that's when I saw the spectators," Blake said.

 

Blake said DeLone outsized Muhammad by about 60 pounds and commonly was able to push him around.

 

"I knew Darren was going to throw Wali because he always manhandled Wali."

 

Blake left the witness stand to demonstrate with DeLone how the drill worked and told jurors that it was DeLone's responsibility to shove Muhammad out of the way if he got outside of him.

 

Blake said doing this would open a gap for a running back.

 

As Muhammad headed toward the sideline, Blake said he saw most of the group move out of his way, but Merritt did not.

 

"I guess the guys in front had moved out of the way in a hurry." Merritt and a dentist who examined him have testified that the Oklahoma freshman lost one of his front teeth and fractured another in the collision.

 

Blake, who also played for Oklahoma from 1979-82, graduated from the school in 1986 and returned as an assistant coach from 1989-92.

 

Blake said the stadium had been remodeled since he left OU and he thought spectators were closer to the practice area than he had remembered.

 

On cross-examination, Cleveland County District Attorney Tim Kuykendall asked if Blake thought about moving the team farther from the spectators.

 

"I think it's a problem them being that close to us, not us being that close to them." Blake responded.

 

Blake also spoke about DeLone's personality as he recruited him. "Darren was a guy who never got in a brawl on the football field, never got into a fight ... . I don't remember Darren being in any altercations at all," Blake said.

 

Two other Nebraska assistants, Dennis Wagner and Angus McClure, and eight Nebraska players are expected to testify. Another Nebraska defender, Adam Carriker, testified earlier this week that it was Muhammad who accidentally slammed into Merritt.

 

DeLone's attorney, Garvin Isaacs, has claimed that Muhammad accidentally collided with Merritt and DeLone did not.

 

Four members of the Oklahoma Ruf/Neks -- the spirit squad that accompanies the Sooner Schooner mascot onto the field -- and one cheerleader testified Wednesday that a player wearing jersey No. 67, DeLone's number, was the one that slammed into Merritt.

[Eric the Red]

Fan Says NU Football Player Off Balance And Trying To Stop Before Collision

 

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- An Oklahoma football fan who witnessed a collision between a Nebraska player and an OU spirit squad member testified Tuesday that the player was off balance and trying to stop when the incident took place.

[DaveH]

The reasonable doubt really seems to be piling up for the prosecution. I have heard that other OK fans can corroborate this guy's story.

[hoyamannn]

Just heard that Delone got acquitted of all charges.

 

This doesn't surprise me. Our football player, whichever one ran into the kid, made him look like the majority of Oklahoman's when he lost some of his chiclets. Were they mad because we didn't knock enough of his teeth out?

[DaveH]

Delone acquitted.

[rawhide]

I am glad that there is closure in that case. Hopefully the losing side can come out with some positive reinforcement about a bad situation that is not just a problem with OU but other schools as well. The field should be for players, coaches and guests period. And a reasonable cheer squad. OK I guess the stupid buffalo can be there too since he isnt too much bigger than some players

 

GBR

[kramer]

Helping DeLone?

Don't send money. I received the following today:

 

 

You may be aware that one of our student-athletes was recently exonerated in a court of law. Darren DeLone was charged with assault stemming from a collision that occurred on the playing field during warm-ups of the Nebraska - Oklahoma Football game on Nov. 13, 2004, but was found innocent on May 4 after a lengthy trial in Oklahoma.

 

 

 

Many of you have graciously asked us how you might be able to help the DeLone family with their travel, food and lodging expenses incurred during the eight-day trial. In fact, the DeLone family has also received many calls, and letters with offers of monetary assistance from Nebraska and Oklahoma fans alike who want to help lessen the family’s financial burden.

 

 

 

However, it is our duty to inform you that this clearly would be considered an extra benefit and would cause both Darren and the University of Nebraska to be in violation of NCAA rules.

 

 

 

The University of Nebraska athletic department will be allowed to pay for Darren’s legal fees per NCAA Bylaw 16.3.1.1 (f). The expenses of the other Husker student-athletes and coaches who testified at the trial will be paid for by the Cleveland County Court.

 

 

 

Associate Athletic Director Tim Cassidy, who was in Norman with the DeLone family, said everyone’s kind gestures are greatly appreciated. “We would just like to sincerely thank everyone who has offered their assistance on this matter,” Cassidy said, “but in order to remain compliant with NCAA rules, we ask that fans refrain from sending the University or any member of Darren’s family money or any item of value.

 

“Alex and Dorothy DeLone, Darren, his fiancée, and the University of Nebraska Athletic Department would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone who has held the family in their prayers and who have called or sent notes and words of encouragement.”

 

Thank you for your support of Husker athletics and for thinking of Darren and his family.

 

Paul Meyers

 

Associate Athletic Director for Development