Spring Break
Newton allegedly punches Williams
SG president files, withdraws simple assault charge against USC receiver, opts for 'mediation-type deal'
Jonathan Hillyard
Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: News
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Williams, a third-year public relations student, filed an incident report with Columbia police officer S.E. Thomas at 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The report said Williams claimed he "attempted to calm down several other people who were talking," and that Newton "punched him in the left side of his face."
According to the same report, Williams told police that as he was struck, Newton said, "Yeah bitch, that's how we get down," and immediately left the scene.
Williams said he wasn't talking to The Gamecock, but he told The Associated Press he "found a better solution for handling that, more of a mediation-type deal."
The report said Williams claimed to have been sprayed with pepper spray by an unknown subject. Williams suffered no visible injuries, but the report did say that he had complained of non-visible injury.
Newton, a sophomore from Marlboro County, is a two-year letterman on the USC football team and played quarterback last season. He was moved to receiver for this year's spring practice under coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier told the AP that Newton will take part in Saturday's Garnet and Black spring football game.
"We're going to give him a little benefit right now," Spurrier said. "But if he's at these scenes of scuffles and brawls too many times, then he won't play for us."
Newton was unavailable for comment.
The incident report identified Newton as "starting receiver." Columbia Police Department public information officer Skot Garrick said he didn't know why that distinction was made.
On Tuesday, Newton, along with former quarterback Dondrial Pinkins, applied for the state's pretrial intervention program in response to petit larceny charges. The players confessed to taking action photographs from the locker room area of Williams-Brice Stadium, according to arrest warrants.
Williams is in his second month as SG president. He was inaugurated March 3.