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Mark Dantonio (File photo)
Update, 11 a.m. Tuesday: Head football Coach Mark Dantonio axed three Michigan State University football players charged with sexual assault.
Dantonio issues a statement:
With the criminal sexual conduct charges filed against Josh King, Donnie Corley and Demetric Vance, I have decided that regardless of the final outcome of the criminal process, these three individuals have been dismissed from our program, effective immediately.
When we choose student-athletes to come to MSU, we enter into a relationship with them and their families, and we welcome them into ours. We emphasize that success on the field is not enough, as I made clear when all three individuals were suspended four months ago upon us learning of the allegations. They also must embrace our core principles, which include integrity, respect and accountability. The individuals in this case put themselves in a compromising position and did not live up to the standards we have outlined for our program.
Sexual assault has no place in our community, and I want to share my deep concern for the young woman affected and her family.
This is an extremely challenging situation that we have taken very seriously and has affected everyone in this program. The high standards I have established for this program will not change, and the values that we teach to everyone in this program will be enforced. I expect all of our players and staff to conduct themselves in a manner that reflect the ideals of this university.
In this tweet, a Detroit News sports columnist responds to trash talk and reactions from loyalists defending the players:
On the day 3 MSU players charged with sexual assault, don't be simple-minded: Rivals who gloat and MSU fans who minimize are equally gross
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) June 6, 2017
Original article, Monday night
Sexual assault charges will be filed against three Michigan State University football players stemming from a Jan. 16 incident on campus, the Ingham County prosecutor announces Monday.
"This case was investigated by the Michigan State University Police Department," Prosecutor Carol A. Siemon said in a statement. "I have decided to authorize sexual assault charges against the three persons whose warrants were requested by the MSU Police." The players' names were not mentioned.
"We are alleging that on the night of January 16, those three persons sexually assaulted a woman in an East Lansing apartment on campus. At this point, the criminal charges are only an accusation, and the accused should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
"Our office also reviewed charges against an individual who previously worked for the Michigan State University football program. This did not concern any allegation of criminal sexual conduct. After review, I have declined to issue charges and no warrant will be issued. It is our practice not to release names of suspects in denied cases."
The charges come four months after MSU announced that campus police were investigating the alleged sexual assault.
"(We) wanted to make sure we took the time to make the right decision," Siemon told the Lansing State Journal.
