CHICAGO _ Four of the five Wheaton College student football players accused of injuring another player during an alleged hazing incident pleaded not guilty Monday to nine felony counts.
The four players, flanked by half a dozen attorneys, made their first appearances in DuPage County since they were charged in September. A fifth player, James Cooksey, is set to be arraigned next month.
Attorneys for Noah Spielman, 21; Samuel TeBos, 22; Kyler Kregel, 21; and Benjamin Pettway, 22, waived formal reading of the indictment and entered not guilty pleas on behalf of their clients in front of Judge Brian Telander.
The judge then gave the players the standard admonishments about attending court when required and the possible consequences for failing to appear. He also explained the possible penalties for convictions and individually asked each of the players if he understood the charges. Each said he understood.
An attorney for one of the players asked the judge to allow him to comment on accusations of sexual misconduct made by the alleged victim to police. None of the charges against the players alleges sexual misconduct.
The judge has issued a gag order in the case, barring the parties from publicly commenting on the case. Attorney Paul Moreschi, who, along with Paul DeLuca, is representing Kregel, asked the court to partially lift the order so attorneys could comment on the accusations the alleged victim made.
According to authorities, on March 19, 2016, the five players allegedly bound a fellow player, a freshman, with duct tape and placed a pillow case over his head and forced him into a car before eventually leaving him partially clothed on a local baseball field.
The student received injuries to his shoulders that required surgery, according to authorities.
The student also told police that during the car ride someone tried to insert something into his rectum. In court Monday, Moreschi told the judge that allegation is untrue and is not part of the charges. He asked the court for an exception to the gag order in order to publicly respond. Other attorneys representing the players said they would join in Moreschi's order.
The judge set an Oct. 31 date to further consider whether to grant the exception.
Assistant State's Attorney Kristin Johnston said a grand jury had approved a nine-count indictment against the players, alleging aggravated battery, mob action and unlawful restraint. Aggravated battery, the most serious charge, carries a potential prison sentence of two to five years, though probation is also an option.
The players are all on bond. The judge said they needn't be present at the Oct. 31 hearing.
The five players have been suspended from their team's games and practices.
