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Charge filed against UA linebacker Published: Thursday, July 03, 2008 PRINT E-MAIL Arkansas Razorback junior linebacker Wendel Davis, 19, and Onyebuchi Odunukwe, 20, have both been charged after University of Arkansas Police investigated a traffic incident last Tuesday afternoon at Garland Avenue and Maple Street in Fayetteville. Odunukwe was charged Wednesday with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor terroristic threatening. Davis was charged last Tuesday evening with felony first-degree criminal mischief. The altercation resulted after the Odunukwe driven Nissan Altima struck the rear of a scooter driven by Davis. According to a UAPD report, Davis respond- ed by punching and kicking Odunukwe's vehicle, causing an estimated $ 3, 000 damage to the driver's side door and mirror.
Davis suffered injuries to his right hand that required treatment at Washington Regional Medical Center before he was charged with criminal mischief and transported to the Washington County Detention Center and then released. Wednesday's UAPD report concerning the aggravated assault and terroristic threatening charges against Odunukwe, described discord between Davis and Odunukwe as beginning last Saturday. According to the report, Davis said a female came to his residence " coming on to him" in the early morning hours of June 28 and that " he kissed her. " Davis reported receiving threatening messages from Odunukwe, described as " the female's boyfriend. " At 11: 30 a.m. last Tuesday, Davis, listed 6-1, 220 in the Razorback media guide, stated Odunukwe, listed 5-11, 220 in the police report, approached him at Razorback Stadium. A fight ensued and broken up by athletic staff, according to the report. At approximately 12: 30 p.m. Davis and Odunukwe reportedly had, according to Davis, another altercation at the Pat Walker Health Center, but the female got them to stop. At 1: 11 p. m., Davis reported he was waiting for a stoplight at Maple and Garland when he " heard screeching tires" and his scooter was struck from behind by Odunukwe's car. Davis reported Odunukwe had been parked on Lot 29, a northbound one-way street, and " had to drive the wrong way on a way street to exit the parking lot on to Maple Street. " According to the report, Davis said he " feared for his life and jumped off his scooter to approach the vehicle. " Davis said Odunukwe " tried to run him over. " Davis said he began punching and kicking Odunukwe's car and that Odunukwe " put the car in reverse trying to hit him again and struck another vehicle. " According to UA Police, " statements from three non-biased witness were obtained and confirm the account given by Mr. Davis. " In a statement issued through the UA Sports Information Department, Petrino indicated he knew of some history between Davis and Odunukwe and that " I am attempting to gather all the facts regarding the situation. Once those facts have been gathered, we will move forward in an appropriate way. Contacted Wednesday at Pinnacle Golf Course in Rogers while golfing with Razorback basketball coach John Pelphrey, Lady Razorback NCAA champion golfer Stacy Lewis and others as part of Pelphrey's Pel's Pals charity foundation against birth defects and early childhood diseases, Petrino was asked both about Davis and sophomore linebacker Freddy Burton, charged with driving while intoxicated last Saturday night in Fayetteville. " We've had some things going on that we're not proud of, and we're certainly going to work to have those not happen again, " Petrino said. " One of the incidents was real unfortunate and the other one's really uncalled for. " Regarding any disciplinary action about either Burton or Davis, Petrino, who already has dismissed junior starting linebacker Freddie Fairchild from the team for disciplinary reasons, replied, " I always like to take my time. We'll let things play out for a little while. Certainly they'll be dealt with and hopefully we can get everything straightened out the right way. Whether there's some suspensions involved or not I don't know. I think we've got to wait and see. " Petrino was asked the extent of Davis' hand injury. " I don't think it's a serious injury, " Petrino said. " It's something that should not have happened. We all take a hit when something like that happens. " A junior two-year letterman from Sweeny, Texas, Davis has been a specialteamer and reserve linebacker the last two years under former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. He missed spring drills under new coach Petrino after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during a winter conditioning workout. Rehabbing from surgery, Davis has been expected to participate in preseason drills after the Razorbacks report Aug. 3. Northwest Arkansas Times reporter Kate Ward contributed to this story. More Stories From: NATE ALLEN · Grayson, Oxner bringing youthful enthusiasm to Razorbacks’ O-line · Fortson declared eligible for fall semester by NCAA · UA FOOTBALL PRACTICE : Hogs’ defensive backs still working on communication · Hogs seek to shake off tired legs before Friday · Thompson finding his niche at fullback for Razorbacks Yesterday's Most Popular 1. THE RECRUITING GUY : Arkansas hot on trail of more Louisiana prospects 2. Hogs find uses for Mallett, arm 4. LIKE IT IS : Croom builds Bulldogs program the right way 5. Hogs seek to shake off tired legs before Friday Today's Most E-mailed 1. Fortson declared eligible for fall semester by NCAA 2. LIKE IT IS : Arkansas’ fortunate son celebrated in Oxford 3. Grayson, Oxner bringing youthful enthusiasm to Razorbacks’ O-line 4. Ex-safety Franklin tackling new challenges at linebacker 5. UA FOOTBALL PRACTICE : Hogs’ defensive backs still working on communication |
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