Basketball player to appear in court after shooting BB gun
Freshman forward Markieff Morris allegedly hit a woman with a BB on Saturday at Jayhawker Towers, according to the KU Public Safety Office. His court date is set for Sept. 10.
By Case Keefer (Contact)
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
Markieff Morris, a freshman forward, received a notice to appear in court this weekend after he allegedly fired an Airsoft rifle BB gun at the Jayhawker Towers.
The KU Public Safety Office filed an offense report Saturday night after a 47-year old woman from Mequon, Wis., was hit in the arm with a BB near the building. Police confiscated an Airsoft rifle and a bag of BBs at the scene.
Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director, said the athletics department wouldn’t comment on the incident.
“KU’s housing office is gathering facts about the incident,” Marchiony said. “Until that process is complete, we can’t say anything.”
The police report also indicated that Morris was suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the incident. Morris’ Lawrence Municipal Court date is set for Sept. 10, when he will face battery charges.
“Until that is complete, we would ask people not to jump to conclusions,” Marchiony said.
Markieff and his twin brother, Marcus, arrived on campus this summer in late June and took classes during the second session of summer school. The NCAA, however, has not cleared the Morris twins to play in the upcoming basketball season.
The twins and Kansas officials have remained adamant that the duo will qualify academically in time to play in the upcoming season. Marcus said he and his brother were “very close” to being cleared at the end of July.
Markieff becomes the second Jayhawk with a looming court case. Junior point guard Sherron Collins will face a civil lawsuit in April 2009 for allegations of sexual assault made by a former Jayhawker Towers employee.
—Edited by Jennifer Torline
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