WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WTVR) — Virginia State University football player Lamont Britt pleaded guilty Tuesday to assaulting a Winston-Salem State University quarterback during a CIAA banquet last November.
Lamont Darnell Britt (right) was arrested by WSSU campus police and charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury on Rudy Johnson (left). (Pictures from WSSU athletics and VSU athletics)
Britt, who pleaded guilty to a charge of simple assault, was charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury.
However, but the prosecutor, Jennifer Martin, said “the statutory elements for assault inflicting serious injury have not been met.”
WGHP reportsthat District Court Judge Denise Hartsfield sentenced Britt to 45 days in jail, suspended for one year; probation for a year, and imposed the condition that he complete or be in the process of completing his education.
RELATED: VSU football player arrested for assaulting rival quarterback
According to an arrest warrant, Britt is accused of hitting WSSU quarterback Rudy Johnson in the face and head in a restroom Nov. 15 during the CIAA awards luncheon at WSSU’s Anderson Center.
The luncheon was the day before WSSU was scheduled to play VSU at Bowman Gray Stadium in the CIAA’s championship game. CIAA officials canceled the game after the fight.
Johnson said that as many as six Virginia State players jumped him, giving him a black eye, cuts to his face and a sore back and ribs. Johnson was only able to identify Britt, who was the only one to be charged. He was suspended from the team after the incident.
Earlier reports had claimed as many as five Virginia State players assaulted Johnson. But VSU head coach Latrell Scott told CBS 6 Sports anchor Sean Robertson that Britt was the only player involved in the fight, and that other players were trying to break up the scuffle.
VSU Director of PR & Marketing Tom Reed said Britt is currently serving a one-semester suspension, but is free to re-apply.
"We’re very excited about the team Coach Scott has assembled for the upcoming season," Reed said in an email. "We have the confidence they will be quality representatives of VSU on the field and in the classroom."
Virginia State football player Lamont Britt pleads guilty to assaulting WSSU QB. Receives one year probation. pic.twitter.com/iJdgUo2WoP
— Joe McCloskey (@Joe_Fox8Winston) April 15, 2014
