LINCOLN, Neb. – Two former Husker football players who were officially charged with first-degree sexual assault on Wednesday appeared in court on Thursday.

Katerian LeGrone and Andre Hunt both appeared and were read their charges, and had their next court appearance scheduled for February 26 at 10 a.m.

LeGrone had his bond of ten percent of $50,000, which was originally paid on Dec. 12, continued.

For Hunt, his bond of ten percent of $100,000 was continued, as well.

The two former Husker football players were charged with first-degree sexual assault on Wednesday, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Lancaster County on December 11th, 2019.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim showed up to Hunt’s apartment on August 25. Soon, they were in the bedroom where the woman says she felt forced into sexual contact.

She says she didn’t say no because she felt uncomfortable and was fearful of what would happen.

According to the documents she had a blanket in front of her face, but LeGrone came in and they both had sex with her.

LeGrone’s attorney said the probable cause affidavit sounds bad, but that doesn’t mean it’s true.

“We have seen these types of cases before where the probable cause affidavit appears strong, but it’s just a prosecution document,” said John Berry. “At the end of the day, this is law enforcement’s narrative.”

Mallory Hughes, who is also representing LeGrone in this case, said the probable cause affidavit leaves things out.

“The probable cause affidavit discusses communication between the accuser and Mr. Hunt, and what I did not see is the contents of those communications and what would lead a 19-year-old girl to go to the house of a stranger and what her plans were once she got there,” Hughes said.

Lincoln Police are also investigating additional sexual assault reports made by other alleged victims. But LeGrone’s attorneys said no one should be quick to judge.

“What it comes down to is the Constitution of the United States, that protects Mr. LeGrone and protects each and every one of us, says he is innocent right now, and he will remain innocent until a jury of 12 people says otherwise and finds otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt,” Hughes said.

Both men were suspended in late August and dismissed from the team last month. Both are out on bond.

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) —

A former Wheaton College football player charged in the team’s hazing scandal will be back to court Thursday.

Noah Spielman entered a plea of not guilty when he was charged, but he is set to reverse that. Prosecutors have not released the details of the plea deal.

Spielman is the son of former Ohio State and all-pro linebacker Chris Spielman. He and four other Wheaton College football players were charged last fall with aggravated battery, mob action and unlawful restraint in connection to a hazing scandal in 2016.

Neither Spielman nor prosecutors have been specific about what charge or charges are part of this plea deal.

A student who has identified himself as Charles Nagy says the players beat and bound him in his dorm room, then took him to a baseball field, leaving him there partially clothed.

Nagy filed a lawsuit last week against the players and school. He says he had to have surgery from some of his injuries. He also withdrew from the school.

One of the five Wheaton College football players charged with hazing-related felonies is expected to plead to charges in the case Thursday, according to the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office and court records.

Noah R. Spielman, 21, of Columbus, Ohio, is expected to enter a plea, Paul Darrah, a spokesman for State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, said Wednesday. Darrah, however, declined to discuss details of the plea, which is scheduled to be outlined at a hearing before Judge Brian Telander.

Spielman had previously pleaded not guilty.

Spielman’s attorney, Mark Sutter, was not immediately available for comment.

Spielman, along with four other players, was charged last fall with aggravated battery, mob action and unlawful restraint on allegations they injured another Wheaton player during a hazing incident on March 16, 2016.

Authorities say the five players entered the other player’s dorm room and struck him when he resisted. The players placed a pillowcase over his head and bound his arms with duct tape before driving him in a pickup to a nearby baseball field and leaving him there partially clothed, authorities said.

The player, who has identified himself as Indiana resident Charles Nagy, allegedly suffered shoulder injuries from being bound and later required surgery. He withdrew from the school in the days after the alleged incident.

Last week, Nagy filed a lawsuit against Wheaton College and seven players. However, Spielman, who is the son of former NFL linebacker Chris Spielman, is not among the players named in the suit. The civil complaint does name three other players who were not charged criminally.

According to the suit, freshman players commonly faced hazing with the knowledge of the school and the team’s coach.

The case against another of the players was in court Wednesday. In that case, the judge approved requests from attorneys representing Kyler Kregel to subpoena records and witnesses from a dozen organizations and people with connections to Nagy.

Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.

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