Carson Butler cleared of all charges

Over the summer some of the worst news to hit Ann Arbor was the loss of Carson Butler. Of course this news was second fiddle to Alan Branch's decision to go pro, but was also completely unexpected. Evidently he and a friend on the team (Christian Richards) beat the crap out of another student on st. patricks day.

Richards was convicted of aggravated assault.

The complete story is available here -

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2932939

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- One former Michigan football player has been convicted
and another has been cleared of charges stemming from an attack on a fellow
student.
Christian Richards, of Pacoima, Calif., was found guilty Tuesday of
aggravated assault and assault and battery, while Carson Butler, of Detroit, was
cleared. Both were charged in a St. Patrick's Day beating in a residence hall
and dismissed from the team in March.
Richards will be sentenced July 30.
Assault and battery carries a maximum of 93 days in jail, while aggravated
assault carries up to a year in jail.
Nick Roumel, Richards' attorney, said
he was stunned by his client's conviction, which the judge said was based on the
testimony of witnesses.
Butler's attorney, Joe Simon, said evidence pointed
to his client's innocence but declined to comment on Richards'
conviction.
District judge Ann Mattson announced her verdict after a nonjury
trial that started June 29.
Butler, a tight end, started seven games for
Michigan last season and caught 19 passes. Richards, a reserve defensive back,
had five tackles last year.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated PressANN ARBOR,
Mich. -- One former Michigan football player has been convicted and another has
been cleared of charges stemming from an attack on a fellow
student.
Christian Richards, of Pacoima, Calif., was found guilty Tuesday of
aggravated assault and assault and battery, while Carson Butler, of Detroit, was
cleared. Both were charged in a St. Patrick's Day beating in a residence hall
and dismissed from the team in March.
Richards will be sentenced July 30.
Assault and battery carries a maximum of 93 days in jail, while aggravated
assault carries up to a year in jail.
Nick Roumel, Richards' attorney, said
he was stunned by his client's conviction, which the judge said was based on the
testimony of witnesses.
Butler's attorney, Joe Simon, said evidence pointed
to his client's innocence but declined to comment on Richards'
conviction.
District judge Ann Mattson announced her verdict after a nonjury
trial that started June 29.
Butler, a tight end, started seven games for
Michigan last season and caught 19 passes. Richards, a reserve defensive back,
had five tackles last year.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press