Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Daily Email Edition

Get MN Daily NEWS delivered to your inbox Monday through Friday!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Toussaint, Watson sexual assault trial set for Dec. 10

The two Minnesota football players charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old female University student on July 6 returned to court Wednesday.

Steven Watson and Mackenzy Toussaint, who were both arrested on Aug. 14, sat still and quiet before their pre-trial hearing yesterday afternoon at Hennepin County Court.

Once the pair were called to the stand, lawyers from both sides and Judge Beryl Nord set a joint trial for Dec. 10. Judge Tanya Bransford will preside over the trial.

After the short hearing, Watson and Toussaint left the courtroom with their attorney Earl Gray. Both have been free since Aug. 16 on $50,000 bond.

“We really don’t have any comment,” Gray said.

Neither Watson nor Toussaint have entered a plea, but they are both expected to plead not guilty to the charges of first- and third- degree sexual assault.

Watson and Toussaint allegedly raped the victim in another football player’s Roy Wilkins apartment.

According to the criminal complaint, Toussaint allegedly forced the victim to preform oral sex on him, while Watson allegedly forced her to have sex with him.

In accordance with University policy, football coach Glen Mason suspended Watson, a redshirt freshman, and Toussaint, a sophomore, indefinitely from the team. Watson was penciled in as a starter at defensive end, while Toussaint was expected to see playing time at cornerback.

Both student-athletes’ names have been removed from the Gophers roster and their pictures pulled from game programs.

 

John R. Carter covers football and welcomes comments at [email protected]

Leave a Comment

Accessibility Toolbar

Comments (0)

All The Minnesota Daily Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *