Nigel Bethel may have lost his spot on the Texas Tech football team, but he won’t lose his freedom as well.
According to his attorney, Tray Payne, Bethel “has been cleared by a Lubbock County grand jury” in connection to the incident earlier this offseason that left him potentially facing felony charges. Instead, Bethel won’t be charged at all.
Not only that, but the attorney wrote on Twitter that he had “been provided a letter from the Lubbock County Grand Jury to [Tech athletic director] Kirby Hocutt expressing their desire that @_NigelBethel be re-instated [sic].”
It’s highly, highly doubtful Hocutt will even briefly consider reinstating the player to the Red Raiders football team. In a statement announcing the one-month suspension for the female hoops star, Amber Battle, Hocutt was quoted as stating “Texas Tech Athletics does not tolerate violence against women.”
During a pickup basketball game earlier this offseason, Bethel punched Battle in the face during the course of what started as a verbal altercation. Bethel was subsequently and summarily dismissed from the team. Battle later acknowledged that she made the initial physical contact, which triggered her suspension.
(Tip O’ the Cap: Dallas Morning News)