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Yep
A ticket is a license to attend a game in the stands, it doesn't grant access to the field and going on the field without permission is trespassing. The conference has specific rules prohibiting fans from entering the field until the players have cleared the field. WSU has a duty to provide enough security to ensure that the players can exit the field in a safe manner. In the linked article one of the comments mentioned the incident several years ago in which a WSU fan punched Austin Sefarian-Jenkins when they rushed the field. The video shows the player running with his team exiting the field and the fan running across those exiting without regard to the players safety or his own safety. In an act of self defense the player assumed a position that would best preclude himself from getting injured by the fan's negligence in running onto the field. The fan was going to get run over, the player simply took action to ensure that he was not injured. The proximate cause of the the fan's injuries was his own negligence of entering the field.
Fans are prohibited from entering the field for the I think 1 minute after the end of the game. 1st violation results in a warning to the school, subsequent violations have increasing fines. Some schools do a good job of shielding the opposing team from the onslaught of fans either by security or by location of the locker room in relation to the student section, some obviously do not.
It appeared that he rushed immediately after the game ended as evident by the USC players hurrying to get to their locker room (which was across the field from their sideline) so he probably was in violation.
I don't think there is any doubt. This video clearly shows that USC was exiting the field with 29 seconds left on the game clock and fans were already storming the field. I don't see how you could possibly prosecute the case and not acknowledge that had the "victim" not been in violation of the rules and laws that he wouldn't have been injured.
Not the same situation, but if you were running across your yard and he cuts across you and you lay him out, then yes. If he is walking and you are on your porch and don't tell him "get off my lawn" while shaking your fist in an angry old guy manner, and instead just proceed to go beat him up, you are probably going to get punished for that.
The point is, just because someone might be "trespassing", doesn't give someone else the right to assault him. I am in agreement with your last statement, but to completely blow this off and act like the student had it coming because he was rushing the field is ****ing stupid.
I think the likely end result will be the prosecutor either determines that he couldn't win the case and decides not to file or goes for a lessor charge. USC should provide the player with representation and could file suit against WSU and the "victim." Timing matters a bunch and it would be hard for a jury to find sympathy for a stupid college kid who was clearly where he shouldn't have been. Police are always going to recommend the highest possible crime, but that doesn't mean it should be prosecuted. Also are they going to try to extradite him?
You are assuming that the player committed assault. The players likely defense is that he was exiting the field with his teammates when the other person crossed in front of him and contact was unavoidable. He has an expectation of a clear path to exit the field.
Lol he blatantly committed assault and the video shows that conclusively. That is why this is still a thing.
Yes.
Well played.
