The Latest: Lawyer to UW: Reject stereotype, enroll Cephus

Posted August 12, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Former Wisconsin Badger football player Quintez Cephus speaks during a press conference to reiterate his request for reinstatement to the university in Madison, Wis. Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. The former wide receiver was acquitted earlier this month of sexual assault charges stemming from a campus incident in his apartment. He was expelled from the university in March after the university's own internal investigation. He is pictured with his attorneys, Stephen Meyer and Kathleen Stilling, as well as a group of current team members were on hand to show support for Cephus at the event. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on University of Wisconsin football player Quintez Cephus (all times local):

5:15 p.m.

An attorney for Quintez Cephus is urging the University of Wisconsin-Madison to follow the lead of a jury that acquitted the former Wisconsin receiver and to not reinforce what he called the racial stereotype that black men are sexually aggressive.

Lawyer Stephen Meyer said at a news conference Monday afternoon that the school should allow Cephus to return. Cephus applied for reinstatement last week after the jury found him not guilty of two sexual assault charges. University officials say they're working to gather more information about the case.

Cephus appeared at the news conference with members of the football team and Meyer. He said he has no anger toward the university and that he knows his former teammates support him.

Meyer said the university needs to think about how people of color will view its decision.

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2:20 p.m.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison says no decision has been made about whether to readmit a football player who had been expelled after being charged with sexual assault.

Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus applied for reinstatement last week after a jury found him not guilty of two sexual assault charges. His attorney Stephen Meyer said Monday that the university is sending a "clear message" that they don't want Cephus back.

The university says in a statement posted on its website that Meyer is false. It says that the university is working to gather information, including all relevant court records, and will complete its review "as quickly as possible."

The university also notes that its code of student conduct is separate from criminal law and students may be held responsible for violations regardless of whether they are also criminal.

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12:42 p.m.

The attorney for former Wisconsin football player Quintez Cephus says university officials are sending a "clear message" they don't want the former Badgers wide receiver back despite his acquittal in a sexual assault case.

Attorney Stephen Meyer said Monday that discussions have collapsed. University spokeswoman Meredith McGlone said Monday she couldn't comment due to privacy rules.

Cephus filed a petition for readmission last week, just days after a jury found him not guilty of sexually assaulting two students who said he had raped them.

Meyer says the university has made clear it won't make a decision until "well after the semester has started."

Cephus and current Badger players planned a news conference Monday on his case. Meyer says players have sent an email supporting Cephus to UW-Madison Chancellor Becky Blank.

Stephen Meyer, center, attorney for former Wisconsin Badger football player Quintez Cephus, right, speaks on behalf of his client during a press conference in Madison, Wis. Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Cephus, who was acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this month, is requesting to be reinstated to the university which expelled him after completing their own investigation in March. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2019, file photo, former Wisconsin football player Quintez Cephus testifies during his trial in Madison, Wis. Cephus says going back to school is his top priority after a jury found him not guilty last week of sexual assault charges. The wide receiver tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a story published Tuesday, Aug. 6 that he doesn't know if he will return to the University of Wisconsin or another college. (Ed Treleven/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) The Associated Press

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