Ex-Rutgers football player considers guilty plea to assault charges

He is likely to face jail time

Delon Stephenson was one of the five previous Rutgers football players who were allegedly involved in an assault on Delafield Street last April. Stephenson’s attorney, Michael Orozco, said that they are considering pleading guilty after the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office made Stephenson an offer.

Orozco would not discuss the exact details of the offer the court gave Stephenson, former defensive back. However, if he pleads guilty he is most likely going to face jail time.

Stephenson is charged with second degree aggravated assault with other counts, but Judge Dennis Nieves said the plea offer would change to a third degree charge. Nieves suggests that Stephenson should be placed on probation after he serves some time at Middlesex County jail. Nieves is expecting a response to this offer on Stephenson’s next court appearance.

This would benefit Stephenson because if he is charged with a the higher second degree crime then he would be put in a state prison for around seven years.

It was alleged that Stephenson was the first one to have thrown the punch in the assault last April. The other four convicted including Stephenson’s brother, Daryl Stephenson, appeared in court yesterday, but their appearance was rescheduled to April 25.

Since Stephenson is listed as the “main” perpetrator of this crime his brother, Daryl Stephenson, Tejay Johnson, Ruhann Peele, Nadir Barnwell would plead guilty to a lesser offense. If they cooperate with the court their records should be cleared after a few years, and they will not have to spend any time in jail.

More
Rutgers University