The Starkville campus, where student life and sports intersect.
A Mississippi State football player, De’Monte Russell, has been indicted on misdemeanor assault charges following an incident that left another student, Trace Howell, with serious injuries. The altercation occurred outside Two Brothers Smoked Meats, leading to Howell suffering a traumatic brain injury. As the community rallies around Howell, discussions on athlete conduct and accountability are intensifying amidst ongoing legal proceedings against Russell.
In a surprising turn of events in Starkville, Mississippi, a Mississippi State football player, De’Monte Russell, has been indicted on a misdemeanor assault charge following an alleged incident that left another student with serious injuries. The news has sent ripples through the college community, raising questions about conduct and accountability.
In December, an Oktibbeha County grand jury handed down the indictment against Russell, which stemmed from an incident that took place back in May outside Two Brothers Smoked Meats. Reports suggest that Russell, a defensive lineman for the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the 2024 season, approached fellow student Trace Howell from behind and struck him without any prior confrontation.
At the time of the altercation, Howell, who was a junior at MSU, felt the impact of the unexpected blow and hit the ground. The situation escalated quickly as Howell was taken to the hospital and later transferred to a trauma facility in Memphis for specialized treatment.
The fallout from the attack has been severe, with Howell suffering a traumatic brain injury and two brain bleeds. Thankfully, he has been making progress on the road to recovery, although it has become apparent that he may not fully return to his pre-incident condition. Now 21 years old, Howell is back at Mississippi State for his senior year and has aspirations of attending law school, though the brain injury may affect his future plans.
As the case moves forward, Howell’s attorney, Jeff Reynolds, has expressed his intention to seek jail time for Russell. Reynolds is urging the Starkville City Prosecutor to pursue significant consequences for the assault. Evidence, including witness statements, indicated that Russell acted without provocation. Interestingly, reports indicate that he later acknowledged the attack on social media, expressing remorse and claiming he didn’t mean for the situation to escalate.
Criticism has emerged regarding the Starkville Police response to the incident. Howell’s attorney has pointed out that there was a delay in arresting Russell immediately following the attack. Moreover, there were no formal interviews conducted with witnesses who were present during the incident, which has led to further scrutiny of the investigation.
Despite the seriousness of the accusations and the injuries sustained by Howell, Russell has continued to be listed on the Mississippi State football team roster as of August 20. Standing an imposing 6’4” and weighing 284 pounds, he is viewed as a key player on the team. However, with legal proceedings underway, the future of his athletic career remains uncertain.
The Starkville community, particularly those connected to Mississippi State University, has been left in shock. The incident has sparked discussions about the behavior of student-athletes, accountability, and the importance of creating a safe campus environment. Many are waiting to see how the university will respond to both the incident and the ongoing legal matters surrounding it.
As this story continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the courtroom, the athletes, and the broader implications for campus safety and student conduct. Howell’s recovery is certainly a priority, and the community is rallying around him as he navigates both the physical and emotional challenges that stem from this unfortunate incident.
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