GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Suspended Florida linebacker Taurean Charles was placed on probation for a year and ordered to pay restitution Monday after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of culpable negligence.
Charles, a junior from Miami, was arrested July 20 after authorities said he punched a fellow student in the head and threw a keg of beer on his face, causing serious injury during a party near campus.
The state had been seeking 30 days in jail for Charles, but the judge ruled that the misdemeanor charge did not warrant any more confinement than the four days Charles served after his arrest.
Charles was ordered to pay restitution of $897.12 to the victim and $263 in court costs. The judge also said Charles must be assessed for anger management and complete the course if it is recommended by a counselor.
``This has taken a toll on my life because my career is basically over because the media and everybody has tarnished my name all over,'' said Charles, whose scholarship was rescinded last summer. ``I've been in headlines everywhere as this monster who threw a keg.''
Charles continued to attended classes after his suspension, hoping that a resolution in the case would get his scholarship reinstated. That probably won't happen.
His attorney, Charles Rush, said the university's judicial affairs office is planning to suspend Charles from school for the next year a move that likely would end his career with the Gators.
Rush said he will appeal the suspension, which he said amounted to ``double punishing'' Charles.
``It was really just amazing the lack of due process that we got with the university,'' Rush said.
Monday
June 23rd, 2025
12:51AM
