Cincinnati backup quarterback Jarred Evans was found not guilty of assault after a jury sided with his claim that he punched a fellow student in self-defense.
On Friday, Evans testified that he and his girlfriend were walking down the street when they heard a series of racial remarks. Evans is black and his girlfriend is white. The couple ignored the comments and continued walking, but Evans said one of the men, Ryan Smith, blocked their path.
"He flinched at me with his hands up," Evans testified, "and I just reacted with a punch, a jab."
That punch left Smith unconscious on the sidewalk.
However, Smith gave a contradictory account, stating that he was behind the couple and that Evans sought him out and punched him for no reason.
The jury took three hours to deliberate. Judge Robert Taylor also declared a mistrial on a disorderly conduct charge after jurors could not reach a verdict.
"We're very, very happy with the outcome," Kimberly Reese, a spokeswoman for Evans' family told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "(And) thankful for a jury that saw what really happened."
Evans is still awaiting a sentence after pleading no contest to obstructing official business. Prosecutors said he ran from police after the incident. He will be sentenced on that charge April 28.
Evans had been suspended since last October when the incident occurred, Reese said the hope is he will be allowed back on the field for spring practices, which are currently underway.
For more Cincinnati news, visit BearcatReport.com.
Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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