Tag: charges dropped

Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon speaks to the media on the first day of spring practice in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Reckless driving charges dropped against Georgia LB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Charges of reckless driving and racing were dismissed against Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon on Monday.

Attorney Billy Healan confirmed to ESPN that his client pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving too fast for conditions at a hearing Monday at Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court.

Mondon, who was arrested on July 10, attended defensive driving and victim impact classes and paid a $500 fine, Healan confirmed.

“We feel like this was the appropriate resolution,” Healen told ESPN. “Smael accelerated too fast, but he was not racing and wasn’t reckless. He has paid his fine, and he is ready to move on from here. Smael is scheduled to graduate in December and had no prior traffic incidents.”

Mondon, from Dallas, Ga., is a senior projected to start for the third consecutive season. He made the coaches’ 2023 All-SEC second team after ranking second on the roster with 68 tackles in 13 games. He led the Bulldogs in tackles with 76 in 2022.

Georgia, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll, opens the season Aug. 31 against No. 14 Clemson in Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers interim head coach Mickey Joseph looks to the sideline before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Charges dropped against ex-Nebraska interim coach Mickey Joseph

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Prosecutors dropped a domestic violence charge against former Nebraska interim football coach Mickey Joseph after his accuser refused to testify.

A Lancaster County (Neb.) Court judge dismissed the case Wednesday during a brief hearing.

According to the Lincoln Star Journal, the state had sought a court order last month to compel Joseph’s accuser to attend the hearing.

“Despite several attempts by the authorities in Arizona she was not able to be served. So at this time, I am moving to dismiss without prejudice at state’s costs,” said Erica Pruess, the deputy county attorney, at the hearing.

Pruess said the accuser sent an email to her and to Joseph’s attorney, Sean Brennan, last month “indicating she was not intending to testify in this case.”

Joseph, 55, was arrested on Nov. 30 on suspicion of choking and punching his accuser and pulling her hair during a dispute. He was released on bond the following day and ordered not to have contact with the woman, who apparently has gone to Arizona.

Nebraska ended his employment on Dec. 6.

The incident occurred just days after Matt Rhule was tabbed as Nebraska’s new coach.

Joseph became interim coach after Scott Frost was fired on Sept. 11 after a 45-42 home loss to Georgia Southern that dropped the team’s record to 1-2.

The Cornhuskers went 3-6 under Joseph to finish the season with a 4-8 record.

–Field Level Media