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Knoxville police will continue their investigation this weekend into a bar brawl involving several University of Tennessee football players that sent two people to a hospital - including an off-duty officer - before any more charges are filed.
Police charged two football players on Friday, but neither of them is accused of assaulting Knoxville Police Department Officer Robert Capouellez, who remains in serious condition at UT Medical Center today. Reports that he'd been discharged Friday night were incorrect.
Capouellez, 24, was off duty and not in uniform early Friday when a fight erupted in the Bar Knoxville, 1820 Cumberland Ave., according to Knoxville police spokesman Darrell DeBusk.
The brawl began when Gary Russell, 20, was involved in an altercation with another customer, and "several additional patrons jumped into the fight," DeBusk said.
"Employees of the bar intervened and pushed the fight outside onto the sidewalk," DeBusk said. "Officer Capouellez intervened in an attempt to stop the fight when he was attacked."
Witnesses said Capouellez was hit in the head and knocked to the ground, where a suspect "kicked the officer several times before fleeing the scene," DeBusk said.
Russell, who was also taken to UT Medical Center for treatment, was released from the hospital Friday, a UTMC spokeswoman said. He couldn't be reached for comment.
Police detained six potential suspects for questioning, but DeBusk declined to identify anyone who had not been charged yet.
According to UT Police Department reports, however, players John Brown, 22; Matthew Milton, 18; Denarious Moore, 21; Darren Myles Jr., 19; and Da'Rick Rogers, 19, were identified as possibly being involved in the beating of Capouellez.
Another man, identified in records as Jerran Talley, 19, of Athens, allegedly was with the group involved in the beating. Talley is not a UT student and has not been charged.
UT football coach Derek Dooley announced Friday that two players not mentioned in police reports, Marlon Walls and Greg King, ages unavailable, had been suspended indefinitely. Dooley didn't provide specifics as to why the action was taken, saying only that the suspensions resulted "from my conversations with the student-athletes who were present."
A statement Friday from a UT spokeswoman said Knoxville police will not charge Milton in connection with the fight.
Knoxville police charged Rogers with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Rogers resisted being handcuffed, records allege, and the freshman wide receiver was later released from jail after posting a $1,000 bond.
UT police officers, who responded to a call to help the disabled Capouellez, charged Myles with assault, evading arrest and resisting arrest. Myles, a sophomore safety, was released from jail after posting a $2,000 bond.
Myles has been kicked off the UT football team, UT officials announced Friday.
Myles is accused of assaulting UT Police Department Cpl. Brian Greenlee after the officer arrived at 2:04 a.m.
Greenlee's affidavit states he was directed by bar bouncers to a group of people supposedly involved in the beating of Capouellez. Greenlee said that after he identified himself as an officer to the group, Myles "fled from me on foot southbound towards Lake Avenue."
When Greenlee caught Myles on Lake Avenue,
Myles "slipped out of my grip and struck me in the face on my left side," according to Greenlee's report. Greenlee did not require medical treatment.
Officers found Myles hiding under a BMW a short time later, but he ran again when ordered to come out, records show. Officers eventually found him hiding in bushes near Henson Hall on campus.
Friday's incident marked Myles' second encounter with local police.
He was arrested just hours after the April 17 Orange and White game. He was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a 2:29 a.m. incident at Sobu, 6213 Kingston Pike. Club bouncers had removed Myles from the business, but he allegedly continued causing problems in the parking lot.
Myles was riding on the hood of a car when officers arrived, police said. Officers said he fought them when he was arrested, but no officers were injured. Myles is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 12 on those charges.
Knoxville attorney Donald A. Bosch represents Myles in both incidents. "Our initial investigation indicates that Darren was in no way involved with the fight at the bar," Bosch said.
Attorney Gregory P. Isaacs was retained to represent freshman defensive tackle Montori Hughes, 19, who was identified by police as being at the bar.
Isaacs said the brawl erupted when "an unknown patron" of the bar attacked Hughes "without provocation." Isaacs said police have not interviewed Hughes about the fight.
"Our investigation has revealed that the UT football players did not start the altercation at the establishment," Isaacs said.
Isaacs said he didn't believe that any criminal charges will be filed against Hughes.
Correy Wilson, 19, a UT sophomore studying journalism who said he was at the bar when the fight erupted, contacted the News Sentinel on Friday and said the brawl started when a "macho black guy" pushed and then punched a white man.
"Then it was like somebody sent out a message because there were suddenly like six black guys beating up this white guy," he said.
The club's security team intervened, at one point tackling a suspect who had picked up a bar stool, Wilson said.
A security guard then began dousing the crowd with pepper spray, forcing Wilson and a friend onto the outdoor patio.
"Everyone starts coughing, everyone is pushing each other to get out of the bar," he said.
Outside, a black man with no shirt was repeatedly kicking a white man who was lying on the pavement, Wilson said. The man fled through a nearby bank parking lot and was chased by the many police officers who soon arrived on the scene.
Wilson said he hadn't been interviewed by police because he and a friend managed to slip away from the nightclub before it was closed off.
It wasn't clear if Russell was the "unknown patron" referred to by Isaacs or described by Wilson. DeBusk said that police have no videos of the brawl or the beating of Capouellez.
Don Jacobs may be reached at 865-342-6345. J.J. Stambaugh may be reached at 865-342-6307.
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Comments » 157
tn_rockytop writes:
go vols come on
tn_rockytop writes:
first and second
Volfan1 writes:
Stupid is as stupid does.
Innocent or guilty, what in the world were they doing THERE at that TIME?
I'm leaving it to CDD to handle this...and I believe he will properly.
SmyrnaMan writes:
Boycott BAR Knoxville
That Rat Hole is owned by trash Born and Raised in Florida
OrangePsyched writes:
What the phooey is going on in this world today. Can a guy not fight another guy one on one without help from the crew. Six men jumping on one man is a true act of cowardice. Anyone that is proven to be a part of that pack of jackals should be dismissed from the football team. This could have happened at any bar at any university or city. It just happened at UT. I applaud CDD for a quick response thus far. ROCKY TOP!
tngreg#277617 writes:
ahh...anyone notice a couple of common denominators here with these clowns?
zigvol writes:
Basketball season starts in 4 months.
always_vol (Inactive) writes:
don't even go there.....I know what you mean, but it happens in a lot of places without the denominator. Has more to do with age and gender.
smokies_old_soul writes:
how much enthusiasm can you have for a team with so many thugs ? if Dooley doesn't clean house and cut his losses at this point, i'll know all this talk about "character first" is just background noise.
kiffin said he was going to run a tight ship until we saw his true colors when he allowed janzen jackson to remain on the team - Dooley already backed down when he allowed Myles to get by without so much as a one game suspension and we see how the players reacted to such soft leadership - they just laughed at it, as evidenced by this fight.
it's now or never Coach Dooley.
always_vol (Inactive) writes:
agree. anymore, you always end facing somebody's "crew".
and kicking a guy on the ground?? Whoever did that needs some hormonal supplements.
lemmy999#283948 writes:
I can't believe all of you people actually pull for UT Football. Biggest group of criminals this side of San Quentin.
DannyVol writes:
Very embarrassing.
lemmy999#283948 writes:
Having Isaacs and Bosch and our lawyers pretty much implies you are guilty.
boogimn3 writes:
I'm going there....
And I would't have if you hadn't insisted in being a bleeding heart do-gooder and hiding from the truth. The black getto culture breeds and promotes this kind of behavior. As long as coaches recruit from these areas this will be a continuing problem. The hip-hop culture is popular with some white kids, and they copy the behaviours from blacks attending schools outside the ghettos. But, overwhelming numbers don't lie. 95% of the problems are coming these guys. We are stuck with it because coaches are scared to not stock their teams with a vast majoity of blacks. So, live with it we must, but don't be naive enough to deny the facts.
wags32 writes:
They are like wild animals!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bogus writes:
Walls suspended. Hughes and Brown involved. Well, there goes our 3 DT's. I just can't believe that all three will still be on the team at the beginning of fall drills. That leaves pretty much Arthur Jefferey and that Clark kid we recruited. Guess it's time for Wilcox to prepare to install his 3-4 defense. I also hope Justin Hunter is ready to go. Moore, Milton, and Rogers? Idiots. It's time for Nick Reveiz to take a chapter out of Al Wilson's book and start dealing with these guys himself.
jackbwana writes:
This is what happens when an out of control state university Athletic Dept. is lead by unconscionable people who only recruit out of state thugs.
CRFVols writes:
What's the deal with including what race they are? In writing this article it reads to me like the writer is trying to make it a race issue.
rk40977#297843 writes:
While I'd like to believe those dismissive statements from defense counsels, let's all remember they aren't under oath and subject to cross.
newportvol writes:
Im not gonna bash the Cop Or the players I wasnt there.. I have no Ideal what really happened But my Take on it if the Off duty cop was there "drinking" than he shouldn't of gotten in the middle of it.. If it was his buddy that got knocked out inside than he was just wanting revenge.. And if he had been drinking was he too drunk to call on of his other buddies that was on duty and let them take care of this..
Kasey writes:
How do these kids afford lawyers like Isaacs and Bosch? Families must have deep pockets.
VOLSGURLINCHARLOTTE writes:
Believe it buddy, we all pull for UT football and will continue to support them through good times and bad because we are TRUE FANS. Yes, it is very embarrassing and disappointing, but this will pass and make them stronger. Remember the incident with the basketball team earlier this year and they made it all the way to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament. They rallied together as a team and proved that they could overcome controversy. When you are passionate about something, such as UT football, there is no way you would quit supporting them. These guys made extremely poor judgment calls. So, can you say you never made a bad decision that you regretted? Yeah, that's what I thought. There are a lot of great guys on this team and for you to generalize them all as criminals is simply ridiculous. I will be in Neyland Stadium in September still yelling loud and wearing my orange proud for my VOLS. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
Citico writes:
I would the TBI to get in on this! There is more to this story and I don't think KPD is going to look to hard. I would was there a blood test so you can say he was or was not drinking? lots of questions need answered. Bottom line players are going to have to man up! Maybe it is time for the players to come together and I suggest it is time for a CODE ORANGE for those who can't tow the line!
crimsonviper writes:
This is a quality post.Thank you...GBO.
d_ray writes:
Good character and behavior starts at home. The parents of these players had 18 years to develop them and discipline them when needed. The parents failed and now Coach Dooley has to play father and talk to them like they are 6 years old. You can bet each of these players have been in trouble many times in the past. UT should set up a background check for the players they give four year scholarships to. Paying a private investigator to do a background check would keep out the thugs that seem to be trekking to Knoxville.
gohawks1 writes:
Has Andre Lott handed out his syllabus yet?
rockytopvol writes:
KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE KIDS AND ALL BUT MYLES ARE FIRST OFFENDERS IF THEY'RE EVEN INVOLVED. GIVE DOOLEY A CHANCE TO TRY TO HELP SOME OF THEM BECOME MEN.
abnermc writes:
Dooley could do as Spurrier & Meyer do and suspend them all for the entire month of July!
eboo57#212060 writes:
Doesnt anybody at the bar check ID's? I think the bar should be investigated also. Get rid of all the players involved. You can't baby sit these kids. Maybe a better background check. This is sad that we go through this all the time.
oneshot writes:
Who said it is family that is footing the bill? Has anyone considered a rich alumni?
d_ray writes:
I say suspend the entire team for the month of July plus take away their allowance.
oneshot writes:
AMEN, BROTHER!! I was going to make the very same post, but you beat me to it! I am sure that we are not the only ones to feel this way!
oneshot writes:
What do you mean "going to be"? UT football already is!
Ham writes:
We would, indeed, be dealing with those fools, Jackson and Sharpton, if the races were reversed.
These black Vols are criminals and racists. Kicking a man while he is down on the pavement? What cowards!
SouthDakotaBob writes:
Just comes down to Brains or lack thereof. If your a UT athlete and in a bar on the strip people know who you are. Alcohol and testerone don't mix well. No win situation. Got to move on but dang why did it have to be DTs involved? GBO!!!
kd45music writes:
You obviously don't pay muchattention to goings on at such places as Oregon, Ohio state, Wisconsin, etc. Go back in your cave.
Mule_Days_King writes:
What is it with you people? Are you serious?
True, there are certain behaviors and attitudes associated with young, black males and we could dive into social reasons why these attitudes exist. But having been in college and affiliated with the Greek social system, I can tell you that there is also a "gang" mentality in certain typically white organizations/groups. I have seen similar incidents happen at functions where the parties involved were all white.
I think you people are just looking for an excuse to blame black people for everything. And before you comment, I am a white conservative. There is a certain thing called reality that some people on this site are failing to live in. The reasons these kids did what they did is simple: stupidity, alcohol and youth.
I would welcome debate on this.
Mule_Days_King writes:
I was waiting for this one, naffy. Do us a favor and shut up.
kd45music writes:
Go there if you must,but you are over-simplifying the issue. It sounds like you're promoting an all-caucasian football league. I say, give them one chance. One screw up and you're gone. That's what I think Coach D. just may do in this case. But, you can't stop recruiting these kids just because of their color and where they live. It's a tough job for Coach D, but I believe he can handle the situation. I back his call 100 percent.
towanda writes:
No doubt this is a hate crime.
These racist thugs should all be kicked out of school and criminal charges brought against them.
kd45music writes:
For the sake of future recruits who may be looking at UT, Coach D has to let these guys go. This is a black (no pun intended) eye on the program. If my kid was being recruited by UT, I'd have to take a serious look at things before agreeing to let him go here if there aren't serious consequences for these kids. For the sake of future recruitment, get rid of these kids. Maybe they'll learn something from being dismissed.
readwriteteach writes:
As a Tennessean I am absolutely sick of this nonsense. Playing sports on a scholarship for UT -- heck, attending UT -- is a privilege. Students and student athletes should represent themselves in the best possible manner. And that means, in cases like this, trying to stop or break up a fight, coming to the aid of victims of violence, and cooperating with police officers. Let's start holding one another, and UT student athletes, to a standard of civilized behavior consistent with the fact that we're apparently advanced and wealthy enough to dump millions of dollars into sporting entertainment.
I hope Dooley establishes firmly that he intends to set a new standard here at UT.
It's about time.
Joevolsxtra writes:
We have more arrests in the last 12mos than wins. 8 to 7. How many incidents involved the "Greek" kids?
kd45music writes:
I think it's a little late for that.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Dooley will be swift and fair in his decisions. I have full confidence that Coach will do what is best for the university as well as these individuals involved.
I want to take this down another road that really hasn't been touched: University leadership.
Get a full-time president in position and not some interim do-nothing that just keeps the seat warm and glad-hands all day. It's hard for the Coach or athletic dept to feel as if they have help or support from a short-timer.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Get real. I was talking about an overall mentality that certain people have. I can tell you one thing: there are incidents that you don't hear about that happen at the "XXX" houses on Thursday nights all across the campus. I've been there. I've seen it firsthand. Those places aren't high-profile and the football players are.
Once again, alcohol and stupidity play the lead role in the incidents.
cloudodust writes:
Any player involved that kicked or threw a punch that was not an act of self-defense and is to be construed as being involved in a criminal beatdown of any person should be dismissed from Tennessee. Any player that piled on any downed individual for the sake of getting in his licks should be prosecuted to the fullest. Show them that there are consequences to their actions...
For example, predators may come into pastures with the intent to encircle and kill the unprotected calf. The predator will eventually pay the ultimate price for his actions whether it's natural for him or not to do his destructive deed. For me, it's unacceptable behavior and PETA be damned. End of story...
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
You'll get no debate from me. Good post (and this comes from another white guy).
rickytopvol writes:
We aren't getting the whole story here. When Walls and King are suspended indefinately and they aren't being identified as being involved in the beating of the cop. In an earlier article they weren't mentioned as being questioned about the fight. IF this is true it would appear the KPD and UTPD aren't very interested in finding the truth. They should let the TBI handle the investigation since a local cop was involved.
KCHS63 writes:
I hate to admit the first poster is right, but truth is truth. There is one more racial factor, though. What is the race of the owner of this illegal business serving underage individuals? What is the race of those civic and university leaders who turn a blind eye to what's going on in a drug-infested business on the University's and the city's front lawn?
Straighten this up you WHITE AND BLACK LOSERS!!!!
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