This situation has taken an almost wholly unbelievable turn.
In the immediate aftermath of Washington State’s upset of USC in Pullman in late September, Wazzu fans in attendance stormed the Martin Stadium field in a celebratory frenzy. Video subsequently surfaced of one Trojans football player, later identified as redshirt freshman defensive lineman Liam Jimmons, decking one of the Cougars fans who had stormed the field.
A few days after that game, university police confirmed that they were investigating the incident and would not rule out charges being pursued against the lineman. Thursday, KXLY-TV in Spokane is reporting that the same police department is recommending prosecutors pursue felony charges against Jimmons. Specifically, because of the seriousness of the injury, WSU police are seeking a charge of felony second-degree assault.
“The WSU student that got hit has been to the hospital twice for a concussion suffered from the alleged assault,” the television station wrote on its website.
A decision from the Whitman County (Wash.) Prosecutor’s Office on whether to file charges isn’t expected until some point next week at the earliest.
As of this posting, USC has not commented publicly on the recommendation.