Crime & Safety

Lehigh Football Player to Face Trial for Alleged Assault

Russhon Phillips, 19, is charged with kicking another man in the face during fight outside of South Bethlehem bar.

A Lehigh University football player accused of kicking another man in the face while he was on the ground outside of a South Bethlehem bar will face trial in Northampton County Court after he waived a preliminary hearing scheduled Wednesday, according to published reports.

Russhon Phillips, 19, remains free on $75,000 bail after he waived all charges that stemmed from the Sept. 18 incident in front of Leon’s Bar, 432 E. Fifth St., according to The Morning Call.

Those charges are aggravated assault, simple assault, underage drinking, disorderly conduct and harassment. Phillips continues to be under suspension from the football team.

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Phillips waived charges even though his defense attorney claims that eyewitnesses will call into question the prosecution’s case, according to The Express Times.

Police have also charged another Lehigh student, Nicholas Cicione, 21, in the fracas.

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The victim suffered facial fractures and a concussion as a result of the attack, the newspaper said. 


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