An allegedly violent physical altercation involving members of the Colorado State football program that led to the suspensions of three players has now led to criminal charges against the trio as well.
And, much to the chagrin of one of the alleged victims, those charges are very minor in nature.
According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, junior defensive end Nordly Capi (pictured), junior linebacker Mike Orakpo and junior defensive end Colton Paulhus were each charged with one count of disorderly conduct. Freshman CSU student Donny Gocha, who was allegedly beaten and kicked by the players to the point of unconsciousness, was also hit with the same charge as the Rams trio.
“Once again our justice system pulls through on doing a royally s***** job,” Gocha wrote, per the Coloradoan, on his personal Facebook page. “The football players and ME got charged with disorderly conduct!”
Per the alleged victims, the incident began when the players lobbed a homophobic slur from their vehicle, after which Gocha responded in kind. At that point, it’s alleged, the players exited the vehicle and commenced to beating on Gocha. Two of Gocha’s friends attempted to intervene, but were beaten as well. Neither of those two individuals were charged.
One of those friends, John “J.D.” Haley, told the paper shortly after the early-April incident that "[i]t wasn’t really much of a fight. It was basically just a beating. I’ve never seen anyone so mad, so violent. The kid was on a rampage.” Haley did not reveal which football-playing “kid” to which he was referring.
The Coloradoan described the incident as a “savage beating”, which left the alleged victims with various injuries, from chipped teeth to eyes nearly swollen shut to cuts and bruises to one having a boot print left on his back from where he was allegedly assaulted by one of the football players.
Shortly after the charges were announced, first-year head coach Jim McElwain released a statement.
“I am aware of the charges filed today against Nordly Capi, Mike Orakpo and Colton Paulhus,” the statement read. “This matter remains under university investigation, and as of this time the status of the student-athletes remains unchanged. I will not have further comment at this time.”
Capi, who led the Mountain West Conference in sacks last season, and Orakpo, the younger brother of former Texas standout and current Washington Redskins player Brian Orakpo, were also involved in a physical altercation around St. Patrick’s Day this year. No charges were ever filed in that incident.