LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson testified in front of a Baton Rouge grand jury earlier today in what was the climax to a week or so of testimonies in his case of second-degree battery. Jefferson, along with LSU linebacker Josh Johns, were accused of being involved in a bar brawl outside a Baton Rouge bar back on Aug. 19.
It appears, though, that Jefferson will get out of this case with a lighter sentence. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Jefferson’s charge has been reduced to simply battery, and Johns’ charges have been dropped altogether.
If convicted of second-degree battery, Jefferson and Johns could have faced possible jail time and expulsion from school, although the latter option is still very much a possibility.
Coach Les Miles said on his radio show this evening that there are “compliance hurdles to scale” before Jefferson and Johns can return to the team after being suspended indefinitely.
Jefferson and Johns were thought to be one of four LSU players involved in the bar brawl. Eye witness reports to the event have disagreed over Jefferson’s specific role in the altercation. One of the victims, Andrew Lowery, has accused Jefferson of kicking him in the head during the fight. Baton Rouge PD confiscated 49 pairs of shoes from Jefferson’s apartment -- likely as evidence -- shortly before sending out a felony arrest warrant.
UPDATED 8:28 P.m. ET: Well, that didn’t take long. LSU has confirmed that Jefferson and Johns have been reinstated to the team and will begin practicing again on Thursday. That does not mean, however, that Jefferson will regain the starting job he earned over the spring. Miles stated that Jarrett Lee will continue to be the starting quarterback for the Tigers going forward.
