STORRS, Conn. — A Bloomfield, Conn., man will be arrested in the stabbing death of University of Connecticut cornerback Jasper Howard, his lawyer said Monday night, as police continued to sort out what happened during a fight outside a school-sponsored dance over the weekend.
Attorney Deron Freeman declined to identify his client, but said the man and several others got into a fight “with about six” UConn players early Sunday. Freeman said his client did not stab Howard, but was present when Howard was mortally wounded.
Freeman said police searched his client’s home and removed some items.
“(Police) have indicated to me that they expect to get a warrant for his arrest,” Freeman said of his client. “I’m not sure if I would say that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I could say that he was not involved in the actual stabbing of Mr. Howard.”
It would be the second arrest connected to the stabbing. Johnny Hood, 21, of Hartford, Conn., was arraigned on charges of interfering with an officer and breach of peace, but he has not been charged in Howard’s death. Authorities said Hood gave a false name when he was questioned.
Coach Randy Edsall said two players tried in vain to save Howard’s life.
“One had Jasper in his arms and the other was pressuring where the wound went in and had blood on his hands,” Edsall said. “And those two young men are pretty deeply affected right now.”
Sophomore receiver Kashif Moore said he was the player who held Howard until help arrived. Moore said he did not think his friend was going to die.
“He was like in and out (of consciousness),” he said. “I didn’t have time to be scared.”
The state’s medical examiner’s office said Howard, a junior, died from a single stab wound to the abdomen.
Sooners’ Bradford out vs. Jayhawks
NORMAN, Okla. — Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford has been ruled out of Oklahoma’s game this week at Kansas, but coach Bob Stoops said any decision beyond that is yet to come.
“I think the fair thing to say is right now, he’s not going to play this week,” Stoops said. “I just assumed everyone understood that.”
Bradford reinjured his right shoulder on Oklahoma’s second possession during a 16-13 loss to Texas on Saturday. The quarterback had previously been out a month with a sprain of the AC joint in his right, throwing shoulder.
Footnotes.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said he plans to play Saturday against Missouri despite a bruised right thumb that will likely lose its nail.
• Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said quarterback Blaine Gabbert will start Saturday against Texas despite a sprained right ankle.
• Tony Pike was at practice with a cast on his left forearm, an indication Cincinnati might not be without its starting quarterback for long.
The Associated Press
