In a surprising development, the woman who accused University of Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young of assault last month is now seeking to have the charges against him dismissed. According to an affidavit provided by Young’s attorney, the accuser claims the police report misrepresented the incident and that Young did not engage in any inappropriate or unwanted physical contact.
Accuser Retracts Statement, Requests Charges Be Dropped
The 20-year-old woman, who described herself as Young’s ex-girlfriend, initially told Athens-Clarke County Police that Young grabbed her and used derogatory language during a heated argument at his apartment on October 8th. She claimed Young squeezed her torso and abdomen very hard when she tried to collect her belongings, leading her to believe he was trying to harm her.
However, in the affidavit released by Young’s lawyer Kim Stephens, the accuser now says the police report “was slanted” and “does not accurately portray what occurred.” She states that while she did go to Young’s apartment late at night to discuss their relationship and her pregnancy, Young asked her to leave multiple times and did not place his hands on her in any “inappropriate or unwanted” way.
“Colbie did not hit me. He did not push me. He did not cause any bruising or marks on me. He did not injure me in any way,” the woman said in the affidavit.
Repeated Requests for Dismissal of Charges
The accuser says she first asked the Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General’s Office to drop the misdemeanor battery and assault charges against Young on October 14th, just six days after the incident. She claims to have made “several subsequent requests” for dismissal in the weeks since then.
Young’s attorney believes the affidavit “fully exonerates” the Georgia receiver and is calling for the immediate dismissal of all charges. Stephens also argues that the University of Georgia should allow Young to return to all team activities, including games, in light of this new evidence.
University and Prosecutors Reviewing the Case
The Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General’s Office has not yet commented on whether they will honor the accuser’s request to drop the charges against Young. Similarly, the University of Georgia athletics department is treating the situation as an ongoing legal matter and has declined to provide further comment at this time.
Head coach Kirby Smart suspended Young indefinitely following his arrest, stating the wide receiver would remain suspended until the legal matter is resolved. Smart said he had a “good meeting” with Young after the incident and reiterated the program’s commitment to educating players and ensuring they understand the serious nature of such situations.
“It’s very unfortunate, but we want to be responsible in decision-making on and off the field. This is obviously a really tough situation,” Smart said at the time of Young’s suspension.
Impact on Young’s Football Future
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Young’s football career at Georgia and beyond. The talented wide receiver had been a key contributor for the Bulldogs before his suspension, recording 11 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s first five games.
If the charges are indeed dropped and the university lifts his suspension, Young could potentially rejoin his teammates on the field before the end of the season. However, even if he is cleared legally, Young may still face internal disciplinary measures or be required to meet certain conditions before being fully reinstated.
As this story continues to develop, all eyes will be on the Athens-Clarke County justice system and the University of Georgia to see how they handle this complex and sensitive situation. For now, Colbie Young’s football future remains uncertain as he awaits a decision on the dismissal of the charges against him.
