Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

UMass linebacker Da’Sean Downey pleads not guilty to assault charges

James Jesson/Daily Collegian
(James Jesson/Daily Collegian)

Massachusetts football linebacker Da’Sean Downey pled not guilty Wednesday to assault charges stemming from an off-campus fight last February, according to multiple reports.

Downey, a sophomore, was arraigned in Hampshire District Court on two charges of assault and battery causing serious bodily harm. He’s due back in court Dec. 8 for a pretrial hearing, per the reports.

Downey was involved in an altercation with two UMass men, former UMass student Brendan Hoffses and current senior Alex Stolicny, at a Hadley house party, that left both men injured. Stolicny required further medical attention at UMass Medical Center in Worcester for facial injuries, per the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

The University suspended Downey from the football team last spring and restricted him from various campus activities amid an investigation in the altercation. He was reinstated to the team this fall, and has not faced further punishment.

According to the reports, Judge John Payne Jr. released Downey on conditions he have no contact with either men, and to stay at least 10 feet away from them. Payne appointed bar advocate Scott Rathbun to represent Downey.

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