Senior safety Marcus Wimbush will probably play in tomorrow’s game despite missing practice due to a knee injury yesterday – the same day misdemeanor charges against him were publicly revealed – said Terrapin football coach Ralph Friedgen.

Friedgen said an investigation he launched last year found that Wimbush did not incite a brawl between football players and bouncers at the Cornerstone Grill & Loft Oct. 31, adding that Wimbush had already been punished for “violating team rules” that evening.

Wimbush was charged in March with two counts of second degree assault and one count of a fourth-degree sexual offense stemming from an incident between him and two women Oct. 31, The (Baltimore) Sun reported yesterday.

When asked if the incident involving Wimbush incited the brawl, Friedgen responded:

“Who’s to say? Of all the people I interviewed – and I interviewed females that were there – they didn’t see anything, so I don’t know,” Friedgen said. “The fight that broke out, I still believe from my investigation, had nothing to do with this incident. Maybe I’m all wrong.”

Friedgen had conducted his own investigation into his players’ involvement in the bar brawl last year, and as a result had suspended three players from one game each for their involvement in the brawl, and a fourth for underage drinking. Friedgen punished others as well for consuming alcohol or violating curfew without revealing any names. Wimbush was never suspended for an entire game last season.

“I kind of knew what was happening all along. I’ve interviewed quite a number of people, and to me, it’s out of my hands,” Friedgen said. “[Wimbush] was punished for violating team rules. Anything other than that, you got to let the judicial system square it away.”

Wimbush was not arrested Oct. 31, according to a courts database. Keith Hiller, Wimbush’s attorney, told The Sun that the charges against his client stemmed from “a totally separate thing” than the brawl. Wimbush’s court date is set for Jan. 26.

When contacted yesterday, Hiller declined to comment to The Diamondback.

No players are made available for interviews on Thursdays during the season.

The Sun reported yesterday that, according to court documents, Wimbush had grabbed a woman’s buttocks and then grabbed another woman around the neck when she tried to stop him.

The senior safety, who started the Terps’ game against William & Mary and recorded three tackles, did not miss any practice until yesterday. Friedgen did not note any injuries to Wimbush when asked about safeties Christian Varner and Wimbush late Wednesday afternoon, but instead praised his toughness and aggressiveness.

“He’s got this knee thing,” Friedgen said yesterday. “They think he’s going to play this weekend, so we’ll see.”

Friedgen added that he thought Wimbush had injured his right knee, but couldn’t definitively say.

The public revelation of Wimbush’s charges will not have any impact on his status for tomorrow’s game against Middle Tennessee, Friedgen said. Athletics Director Debbie Yow said the department’s policy is to allow athletes who have been charged with misdemeanors to compete until there is judgment in court.

The policy states misdemeanor charges allow discretion for coaches, athletic supervisors and others in the department to make a decision. Often when an athlete has a clean history and claims innocence, he or she can continue to play and practice. Felonies, however, are cause for immediate suspension.

Friedgen said there’s been time for players to atone for any misdeeds.

“To me, it’s old news,” Friedgen said. “I’m moving on.”

WHAT

Halloween NIGHT 2005

Members of the Terp football team involved in a brawl at Cornerstone Grill and Loft, claiming they acted in self defense. Coach Ralph Friedgen suspended three players and punished others, including Wimbush, for violating team rules. Wimbush was not arrested that night.

March 7 2006

Wimbush charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of a fourth-degree sexual offense.

July 8 2006

Court granted Wimbush a continuance and schedules a new trial date for January.

Yesterday

The (Baltimore) Sun reported the charges against Wimbush.

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.