Legal Roundup: Marshall's Butler dismissed after battery charges; 'Todd Gurley' bill signed into law
Kimberly John is a writer for theScore. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Each week she takes a look at the legal landscape around college athletics.
Arrests
Mo Alie-Cox, F, VCU: Alie-Cox was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery for allegedly punching a woman in the face.
Class 1 misdemeanor assault and battery is punishable by a maximum one year in prison and/or a fine of no more than $2,500. *Va. Code Ann. §§ 18.2-11, 18.2-57
Steward Butler, RB, Marshall: Butler was dismissed from the Thundering Herd team after he was charged with two misdemeanor battery counts for allegedly beating two gay men.
Misdemeanor battery is punishable by a maximum one year in jail and/or a fine of no more than $5,000. *W. Va. Code § 61-2-9(c)
Legal Issues
Jameis Winston files counterclaim against accuser: The newly drafted Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback filed a counterclaim against the woman who accused him of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and inflicting emotional distress after a 2012 incident at Florida State.
Winston's accuser filed her lawsuit against him on April 16. He is countersuing for damages in excess of $75,000.
University of Texas withdraws applications to trademark "Havoc" variations: Texas has withdrawn its applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark variations on newly hired coach Shaka Smart's name for his pressure defense at VCU, "Havoc."
The Rams currently hold the "Havoc" trademark.
'Todd Gurley bill' signed into law in Georgia: Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal enacted a bill that would make enticing student-athletes to circumvent NCAA rules in exchange for money punishable by up to a year in prison.
The bill has been nicknamed after former Georgia Bulldogs player Todd Gurley, who was suspended four games while at school for accepting money in exchange for autographs.
Former Texas Tech coach denied appeal in firing lawsuit: The Texas Supreme Court has denied the appeal of Mike Leach, former Texas Tech football coach, in a lawsuit over his firing.
Leach sued Craig James, ESPN and public relations firm Spaeth Communications, alleging libel and slander after Texas Tech dismissed Leach in 2009 amid accusations he mistreated a player - James's son - who suffered a concussion.
theScore does not make any judgments regarding the guilt or innocence of any individual mentioned.