A Michigan football player will not attend the upcoming Ohio State University game after he was arrested for allegedly beating his ex-stepfather unconscious with a baseball bat last week in Detroit.
LSA senior Charles Winters was arrested the night of Nov. 12 for beating 42-year-old Horace Davis at a residence in the 19400 block of Blackstone Street. Winters was later released and has not been charged with a crime pending further investigation, according to Detroit Police Department officials.
Four days later, Winters played in Saturday's home loss to Penn State.
Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr said in a press conference yesterday that Winters will not play in the Ohio State game this weekend due to personal problems, but he said Winters is not suspended from the team.
"My major concern is based on his welfare," Carr said. "He has been through an emotional time.
"What this kid went through, as it becomes more public, I think you'll understand how difficult it was," Carr said.
Jarrett Irons, co-captain of the Michigan football team, said in yesterday's conference that he had no comment about the matter because he was "not familiar with the situation."
Davis was listed in critical condition yesterday at Grace Hospital.
Jessie Jordan, Davis' sister, told the Detroit Free Press yesterday that the fight began when Winters waited for Davis at the home of Winters' mother. Jordan said Davis was returning a car to the home when Winters attacked him repeatedly with a bat in retaliation for Davis allegedly hurting his mother.
Jordan told the Free Press that Davis had six hours of surgery to control a massive blood clot in his head.
DPD officers said yesterday Winters has not been charged in connection with the incident but said the department's investigation is ongoing.
A free safety on the football team, Winters also has pitched for the Michigan baseball team for the past three years.
Michigan baseball coach Geoff Zahn described Winters as an "easy-going guy" and said he did not usually display fits of violence.
"He always seems under control," Zahn said. "It's out of character. I thought of him as a pretty classy individual.
"I hope he can get it straightened out," Zahn said.
Baseball team player Brian Steinbach said Winters has an upbeat personality, and said he was startled by the alleged beating.
"The times I've dealt with Chuck, he's been a first-class individual," said Steinbach, a Business senior who has known Winters for the past three years. "Chuck's a great guy."
The Rights and Responsibilities of Student-Athletes at the University of Michigan, a conduct manual, states that actual or threatened violence is prohibited, and punishment is typically determined by the team's coach. If a student-athlete violates a provision, the student has to meet with the team coach, who issues proper disciplinary action.
If the matter can not be resolved between the coach and the athlete, a hearing may be called with all interested parties present, including the athletic director.
Athletic Director Joe Roberson could not be reached for comment last night.
University Resolution Coordinator Mary Lou Antieau said she is not aware of the case but typically if a student is charged with a felony, the student accepts suspension from the University before facing court charges. She said that in the past, students have been charged with a felony and have faced University hearings.
"Whenever there's a felony-level crime involved, most attorneys advise students to delay University proceedings and accept suspension until concurrent criminal proceeding has been completed," Antieau said.
Antieau said off-campus violations of the Code of Student Conduct could be pursued by the committee if the behavior is considered dangerous to the University community.
"In order to go beyond Ann Arbor, the behavior has to pose an 'obvious or serious threat or harm to any members of the University community'," Antieau said. "We could insert jurisdiction on that case."
- Daily Sports Writer Ryan White contributed to this report.
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