Flagstaffsooner
8/18/2006, 10:54 AM
OU athlete takes plea in horse-punching case 2006-08-17By Jim PhillipsAthens NEWS Senior Writerhttp://www.athensnews.com/graphics/dots.gif
An Ohio University football player who was accused of punching an Athens Police horse during an uptown disturbance pled to a reduced charge Wednesday, and was fined $100 and ordered to do community service.
OU senior tight end Corey Logan, 22, of Columbus, had been charged with assaulting a police animal, a second-degree misdemeanor, after an incident April 29 outside an Athens bar.
Authorities alleged that during an attempt by city police, including mounted officers, to break up a large fight, Logan punched a police horse ridden by officer Randy Gray.
Logan denied ever punching the horse, maintaining that he had, at worst, pushed the animal away in a reflex action when its head shoved up against him unexpectedly.
A man who claimed to be a witness to the incident, and who did not know Logan, confirmed this version of events to The Athens NEWS.
Logan's teammate, Rudy Sylvan, another Bobcat tight end, was also arrested in the incident and charged with persistent disorderly conduct.
Sylvan pled innocent to the charge, but was found guilty by Athens County Municipal Judge William Grim on May 23. Grim fined Sylvan $140 and gave him a 30-day suspended jail sentence.
On Wednesday, Logan pled no contest to a reduced charge of persistent disorderly conduct. Grim fined him $250, with $150 of that suspended, and also gave him a 30-day suspended jail term.
In addition, Logan must perform 20 hours of community service within the next 90 days.
Before the plea hearing, Logan's attorney Patrick McGee admitted that he would have liked to take the case to trial, and believes Logan had a decent chance of beating the assault charge.
"I almost didn't want to do this, because he's such a good witness - very eloquent," McGee said.
He noted that the law defining assault on a police animal as a crime requires that there be some risk of injury to the animal.
"The statute says you have to injury or try to injure, and I don't think there was even the possibility of injuring (the horse)," McGee said.
The attorney told Judge Grim that he believes there is substantial dispute over what happened during the incident that led to Logan's arrest, but that Logan has decided, after discussions with his family, not to take the case to trial.
Logan declined an opportunity to make a statement in court. He said afterwards, "I'm just glad it's over, that's all."
The player said he has discussed his case with OU football officials, who have told him that it will not affect his status with the team.
http://www.homevideos.com/freezeframes10/BlazeSaddle103.jpeg
An Ohio University football player who was accused of punching an Athens Police horse during an uptown disturbance pled to a reduced charge Wednesday, and was fined $100 and ordered to do community service.
OU senior tight end Corey Logan, 22, of Columbus, had been charged with assaulting a police animal, a second-degree misdemeanor, after an incident April 29 outside an Athens bar.
Authorities alleged that during an attempt by city police, including mounted officers, to break up a large fight, Logan punched a police horse ridden by officer Randy Gray.
Logan denied ever punching the horse, maintaining that he had, at worst, pushed the animal away in a reflex action when its head shoved up against him unexpectedly.
A man who claimed to be a witness to the incident, and who did not know Logan, confirmed this version of events to The Athens NEWS.
Logan's teammate, Rudy Sylvan, another Bobcat tight end, was also arrested in the incident and charged with persistent disorderly conduct.
Sylvan pled innocent to the charge, but was found guilty by Athens County Municipal Judge William Grim on May 23. Grim fined Sylvan $140 and gave him a 30-day suspended jail sentence.
On Wednesday, Logan pled no contest to a reduced charge of persistent disorderly conduct. Grim fined him $250, with $150 of that suspended, and also gave him a 30-day suspended jail term.
In addition, Logan must perform 20 hours of community service within the next 90 days.
Before the plea hearing, Logan's attorney Patrick McGee admitted that he would have liked to take the case to trial, and believes Logan had a decent chance of beating the assault charge.
"I almost didn't want to do this, because he's such a good witness - very eloquent," McGee said.
He noted that the law defining assault on a police animal as a crime requires that there be some risk of injury to the animal.
"The statute says you have to injury or try to injure, and I don't think there was even the possibility of injuring (the horse)," McGee said.
The attorney told Judge Grim that he believes there is substantial dispute over what happened during the incident that led to Logan's arrest, but that Logan has decided, after discussions with his family, not to take the case to trial.
Logan declined an opportunity to make a statement in court. He said afterwards, "I'm just glad it's over, that's all."
The player said he has discussed his case with OU football officials, who have told him that it will not affect his status with the team.
http://www.homevideos.com/freezeframes10/BlazeSaddle103.jpeg