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Katoa arrest report reveals few details
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Boulder police released an arrest report Tuesday in the case of suspended freshman Colorado linebacker Lynn Katoa, but it shed little light on what led to a Feb. 16 off-campus fight involving Katoa or his version of events.
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Katoa is scheduled to be charged in Boulder County court Friday afternoon, the same day as tight end Riar Geer. Each was arrested last week for investigation of assault, but in two separate incidents. Coach Dan Hawkins suspended both players from practices and games until their cases are resolved.
Katoa's father, Monte, who lives in Utah, said he has been in contact with his son and the family is trying to figure out the best course of action. Lynn Katoa was one of two five-star recruits in the Buffs' 2008 recruiting class.
"He's disappointed," Monte Katoa said. "He made a bad decision and he's just got to deal with the consequences."
A police press release last week reported Katoa was arrested for punching two people -- one while holding a rock in his hand -- after forcing his way into an apartment. The press release also indicated Katoa was angered after seeing his friend attacked with a stun gun outside the apartment building. That friend has since been identified as former CU linebacker Justin Nonu.
According to an arrest report released Tuesday, witnesses said a man forced his way into two different apartments at 1005 12th St., but none of the witnesses identify Katoa by name. Instead, they identify the man as "Jimmy."
Witnesses said the man identified as Jimmy pushed one man's head into a wall, punched another man while holding a rock and threw the rock through a wall before he was restrained by two of his friends. Witnesses said the man identified as Jimmy returned to a hallway outside the apartment minutes later and began yelling.
Ted Gibson, who lives in the apartment where the alleged assaults took place, told police two other football players then restrained "Jimmy." Gibson identified those players as Scotty McKnight and Nick Nelson.
Police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said the arrest report covers only initial interviews from the investigation and other supplemental reports, such as Katoa's statement, are controlled by the District Attorney's Office.
"Pretty much the rest of the investigation is done in close concert with the district attorney," Huntley said.
Hawkins said the stun gun allegedly used to shock Nonu was turned over to one of his assistants who turned it in to Boulder Police. Huntley could not confirm that Tuesday.
"I can't 100 percent confirm that it has been. I can tell you that we've received a report that it has been, and we're trying to verify that," she said.
Huntley said the man who used the stun gun fled in a Blazer, but police received conflicting reports on the color of the vehicle and did not get a license plate number. Police are continuing to investigate the stun gun incident and ask anyone with information to call Boulder County Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on March 19, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WTF! This makes no sense.
Posted by kimolukela on March 19, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where was OJ when it happened? Are you sure that it wasn't a white Blazer? Why didn't Mcknight and Nelson restrain him before he "burst through the door"? This is complete BS!
Posted by tallisall on March 19, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He will transfer..
Not good to have a dark cloud over your head before you ever put on the uniform..
Posted by buffalo_flyer on March 19, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sounds like this is no solid evidence, let him play
Posted by Saheeb on March 19, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy doesn't like stun guns. Jimmy doesn't go for that.
Posted by CABuffalo on March 19, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for your prediction tallisall, we'll all brace for that. Must be amazing having such dark insight into all things CU.
Posted by rswright on March 19, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no solid evidence at this point so let's not jump to conclusions either way.
Posted by tallisall on March 19, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
More than likely charges will be dropped due to a lack of anyone pressing charges. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen...
His dad says they are trying to decide "what the best course of action is"...
What do you suppose that means??
Posted by BuffNut99 on March 19, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, hard to predict what is going to happen here, a very muddy situation that could go either way for Katoa.
I really think this is going to come down to Hawkins and Bohn trying to make sense of a dropped DA case, and trying to decide if Katoa is gone or just gets a slap on the wrist. I believe that the kid should get a second chance, and any more foul-ups and he's gone.
Posted by kimolukela on March 19, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt that the charges will be dropped. From my experience in dealing with BPD, they definitely won't let the issue disappear. Unless of course, his name was...um..let's say "Ramsey." His father is probably just trying to figure out what legal options are available for his son.
Judging from his actions, Katoa is going to tuck tail and run (like is attackers). He will stick it out and hopefully learn a very valuable lessen.
Posted by NorCalLovesDaBuffs on March 19, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You really can't go punching multiple people for no reason. But then again you really can't kick 5 star recruits off the team for one incident (hopefully anyway). Maybe this is an unforseen downside to enrolling in spring, 1 extra semester to get into trouble :)
Posted by rswright on March 19, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Monte Katoa said. "He made a bad decision and he's just got to deal with the consequences."
Hey,you guys who make excuses like
every young boy gets in a fight, and you really can't kick 5 star recruits off the team for one incident and he is innocent until proven guilty, listen to the kid's father. It must come as a surprise but this is the way responsible people talk. If the son is anything like his father, hopefully this will blow over.
Posted by bufffan8 on March 19, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is it possible he gets booted for the semester (current semester or summer semester) and then comes back for the Fall semester at the same time as the other incoming freshmen? If I recall Sipilli got suspended for the semester that had just begun. Unfortunetly it happened to be the semester of the football season.
Posted by BuffMan6236 on March 19, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He needs sensitivity training. Be kind, be patient and never, ever, ever shake a hippy.
Posted by Buffaloed on March 20, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rswright - That's the same thing I picked up on. Sounds like his father is an asset and he's going to take responsibility for what he did. Noone condones his actions but there is no reason this can't be dealt with, pay the consequences, become a positive learning experience and have Lynn stay to play. Life will look better when this is in the rear view mirror.
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