Sunday, August 23, 2009

Smith Update

Eric Smith is facing third degree assault charges and will surrender to authorities on Monday. A complaint was filed by a 22 year old male Auburn student and a warrant is out for Smith. It is a class A misdemeanor and will face no more than a $6,000 fine and one year in prison. His day in court is November 5, two days before the homecoming game against Furman.

7 comments:

  1. Ok, So apparently Smith was involved in a fight. Any word as to what started the fight, was this over a girl, racial slurs, etc... I think that depending on the circumstances, should determine if he plays again.

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  2. I have only heard the inside details on the Alabama player's arrest...I am trying to dig and find some facts on Smith's situation...

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  3. There was an article in the Opelika newspaper with details.

    He apprarently got in a fight with 22 year old male Auburn student, who was intoxicated. Obviously, Eric (who was stone sober) won the fight. The other guy (drunk) was treated for a laceration above one of his eyebrows. The guy's mother (who is named Sandra Jenkins) is the one who is pressing charges for assault.


    Sounds to me like the guy probably deserved it, but Eric should have walked away. He should not have been out and about at those hours anyway. Nothing good comes from being out in the wee hours of the morning.

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  4. How can the mother of a 22 year old press charges? I bet the 22 year old is the one pressing charges.

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  5. I'm just reporting what the article reported.

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  6. Here is the article...(could not post a link)

    By Andrew Gribble
    Auburn University Beat Reporter
    Published: August 23, 2009

    Auburn University tailback Eric Smith will surrender to Auburn police Monday in the wake of additional charges filed by the victim of an alleged third-degree assault early Friday morning, the Opelika-Auburn News has learned.

    A warrant for the arrest of Smith was issued Friday, the victim’s mother, Sandra Jenkins, and Assistant Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said. Smith’s attorney contacted the court and has made arrangements for Smith to turn himself in Monday, Dawson said.

    Smith’s court date is tentatively set for Nov. 5, Dawson said.

    According to Alabama code, assault in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor. The punishment for a Class A misdemeanor is not more than a $6,000 fine and one year in jail.

    Smith, 19, was arrested outside the Lexington Hotel, which is located on College Street a few miles south of Toomer’s Corner, and transported to the Lee County Detention Center. Smith was sober and did not resist arrest, according to a redacted report obtained by the Opelika-Auburn News.

    Auburn Police Capt. Tom Stofer said APD was called to the scene because of a fight. While on the scene, APD arrested Smith and another Auburn student. The student was arrested for public drunkenness.

    According to a victim report, a 22-year-old male Auburn student was treated for injuries in the parking lot of the hotel at the same time of Smith’s arrest.

    The victim was treated at East Alabama Medical Center for a wide laceration over his left eyebrow, Jenkins said. The victim did not know his attacker, according to a victim report obtained by The Opelika-Auburn News.

    According to the report, the victim was assaulted in the third degree by “hands, fists, voice, etc.”

    Smith was booked at the detention center at 2:32 a.m. Friday and was released on $300 bond at 3 a.m., Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said.

    When police officers witness a fight, disorderly conduct — a Class C misdemeanor — is typically the original charge, Dawson said. The victim then has the option to sign an assault warrant.

    “That’s how we got where we are now,” Dawson said.

    Auburn head coach Gene Chizik could not be reached for comment. When addressing the issue Friday, Chizik said Smith’s situation was a matter “between Eric, myself and our football team,” and would neither confirm nor deny that Smith was still on the team.

    Smith did not participate in Friday’s practice and Chizik refused to offer any timeline for a potential return.

    Smith, a bulky tailback, saw playing time in all 12 games last season as a freshman, but ran for just 83 yards. A Tampa, Fla., native, Smith was poised to see a significant increase in playing time, as he’s been battling Onterio McCalebb, Mario Fannin and Dontae Aycock for the second running back slot behind starter Ben Tate.

    Smith is the first Auburn football player to be arrested since August 2007, when offensive lineman King Dunlap was detained for failure to pay a speeding ticket.

    agribble@oanow.com| 737-2561

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