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Accuser requests charges dropped Cincinnati dropped recruit Harper after assault arrest
Posted: Thursday March 02, 2000 01:22 AM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The man who accused Keenan High School basketball star Jerome Harper of assault now says he wants police to drop the charges. Saboor Rasheed said Wednesday that he pressed charges to get back at Harper after the two fought at the home where Harper lives with his aunt. According to police reports, Rasheed, 37, and Harper began arguing Feb. 17 after Rasheed came into the home where Harper lived with his aunt. The two struggled, and Harper hit Rasheed in the eye while defending himself, the police report said. Rasheed needed nine stitches after the fight. The reporting officer's report said the assault was mutual. "I just wanted Jerome to be hurt, like I felt when he hurt my eye," Rasheed told The [Columbia] State. "Instead of hitting him back, I knew I would go to the media and the police to get back at him. "When I saw him on television in a Richland County jail uniform, I knew I had accomplished my mission." The investigating officer said Rasheed bragged several times that he was going to ruin Harper's career, Columbia Police Chief Charles Austin told WIS-TV. Harper's grandmother, Mary Augustus, told WIS that Rasheed had made similar statements to her. "He said, 'I'm gonna tear your little playhouse down,'" Augustus said. WIS reported Wednesday night that Columbia Municipal Court workers were trying to schedule another court hearing after Rasheed told them he wanted the charges dropped. Harper, 18, was arrested Monday during an after-school basketball practice. That same day he was named to the McDonald's All-America high school game. After spending Monday night in jail, he was released Tuesday on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. Harper, a highly recruited 6-foot-5 guard, signed a letter of intent in November to play for Cincinnati. On Tuesday, Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins announced the school had withdrawn its scholarship offer because of Harper's arrest. Harper's invitation to the McDonald's all-star game still stands. "He can't get the scholarship back, so maybe Huggins did Jerome a favor," said Harper's attorney, Billy Walker. "I wish Huggins had the same degree of class as McDonald's." WIS said a Cincinnati spokesman wouldn't say Wednesday night whether the school would renew its scholarship offer if the charges were dismissed. Although Harper was considered one of the nation's best prep prospects, recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said it was unlikely that Harper would get another Division I scholarship offer. "For Cincinnati to drop Harper gives me reason to think no other college will consider taking him," Gibbons said. "Cincinnati dropped Harper without hesitation, and Cincinnati is known as one of the more liberal schools in terms of admission." Gibbons said Harper is unlikely to be drafted in the NBA,
leaving junior college as his most likely option. Keenan coach Zach
Norris said Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Iowa, has shown an
interest in Harper.
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