An alleged assault has landed Texas guard Martez Walker in deep trouble, as he was suspended from the Longhorns’ basketball team after being taken into custody by campus police on Wednesday night, according to the university.
Walker, who appeared in 33 games for Texas last season, gave himself up to police after a warrant was issued for his arrest on misdemeanor assault charges.
According to the arrest report, Walker struck his girlfriend, Tanecia Gardner, once in the face and four times in the side. The incident took place after Walker became upset that Gardner had attended a bar with another man.
Gardner told police that Walker punched her and then dragged her by the arms and threw her out of his room.
She claimed that Walker had a history of violence against her.
"Gardner said she knew from previous fights with Walker that he was going to hit her, so she hid her face and went into the fetal position on the couch," the police report reads.
The police report indicates a bruise on Garner’s neck, which she said was the result of a past act of violence against her by Walker.
Texas coach Rick Barnes wasted no time in suspending Walker, albeit indefinitely, from all team activities.
"We have consistently stressed to all of our student athletes for a long time that any behavior in which women are not treated with respect will not be tolerated," Barnes said about the incident.
Indeed, violence against women has been in the limelight this week in regards to the Ray Rice story. The events in Baltimore no doubt pushed Texas to act quickly in suspending Walker.
"Physical abuse and violence will not be tolerated at the University of Texas," Texas President Bill Powers said.
However, Skip Davis, the attorney for Walker, has taken a different stance.
“We need to restrain from rushing to judgment in these situations and we need to consider all the facts, because many are lacking in probable cause affidavit,” he said.
Davis told reporters that he respects Barnes’ decision to suspend Walker, but hopes that the truth will come out and that Walker will be allowed to return to the Longhorns.
“In conjunction with the courts, we will bring this to a swift conclusion that will be to the satisfaction of the university, the public, the young man and young lady,” Davis said.