May 7, 2015
Marshall University Running Back Suspended After Allegedly Beating Gay Couple
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A running back for Marshall University in Huntington, W.V., has been suspended after he was arrested Wednesday on battery charges for allegedly beating a same-sex couple, Yahoo Sports reports.
The college's athletic director, Mike Hamrick, announced Wednesday that Steward Butler, 23, was suspended indefinitely amid accusations that the young athlete beat two gay men in April.
Butler was charged with two counts of battery in connection to the April 5 incident, West Virginia's the Herald-Dispatch reports. It has been reported that Butler allegedly beat the two men after he saw them kiss in Huntington, W.V.
According to a criminal complaint, Butler witnessed the kiss and "exited a passing vehicle and proceeded to shout derogatory words towards both men related to their sexual orientation," the Herald-Dispatch writes. "Butler then struck the face of both victims with a close fist, the complaints charge."
Huntington detective Chris Sperry said that one of the men "captured the attack on video." Although both charges are misdemeanors, Sperry told the newspaper that evidence has been "turned over to the F.B.I." to investigate potential civil rights violations.
Butler was released from police custody after posting a $10,000 bond.
Marshall University's interim president Gary White released a statement condemning the accusations against Butler, a senior.
"The entire university community is shocked and disappointed to learn the details surrounding the alleged actions that led to Mr. Butler's arrest this morning," White said. "The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University. Period. This is an extremely serious matter. We will allow the legal process to run its course and will act swiftly and appropriately within our Student Conduct System and according to the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities as more details become clear."
Yahoo Sports writes Butler "had 798 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground for the Thundering Herd last season. In his three seasons with the program, Butler has 2,063 yards and 18 touchdowns on 295 carries."
