Starkville police have taken no action against a Mississippi State University football player accused of causing serious injury to a student he assaulted in May.
MSU Junior Trace Howell alleged Demonte Russell sucker-punched him as he left Two Brothers Smoked Meats in Starkville on May 8 around 11:30 PM. The family's letter to District Attorney Scott Colom alleged:
The attack, which was observed by several witnesses, occurred around 11:30 p.m. Trace was punched with such force that he was knocked out cold and, having no control of his body, fell backwards and struck his head on the concrete.
Young Howell suffered serious injury as described in the letter:
As a result of the assault, Trace was left with a grossly swollen jaw and suffered head trauma requiring the placement of staples in the back of his head. Trace first received help from first responders before being transported by ambulance to Oktibbeha County Hospital (“OCH”), where he underwent tests that showed he had (1) bleeding in two areas in his right frontal brain lobe and (2) two bulging discs. The doctors at OCH placed three staples in Trace’s head wound to close it up. After further testing and consultations with a neurologist at Methodist University in Memphis (“Methodist”), the treatment team decided that Trace needed to be immediately transported to Methodist via ambulance to receive better care under the head trauma team there. On Saturday (May 11, 2024), new testing confirmed the bulging discs but showed that the bleeding in the frontal brain lobe to have finally stopped and Trace was discharged that afternoon. Trace could not chew for several days due to his injured jaw, and he continues to suffer extensive pain from the attack, very significant fatigue, and currently has no sense of smell. Trace’s father has already provided copies of some of Trace’s medical records to Sgt. Scott Lomax (KF: Starkville PD), who is in the process of obtaining certified copies directly from the medical providers.
The two young men could not be more different. Russell is a graduate of Provine High School in Jackson. He is 6'4" and 280 lbs. Howell graduated from Madison-Central High School and is all of 150 lbs. While Russell stars in football, Howell is on the Dean's List, Vice-President of Lambda Chi Alpha, and is Speaker of the Student Senate.
Oddly enough, Russell appears to have confessed to the assault in a text message he sent to Howell.
Someone else apparently threw a drink at Russell but the footballer thought Howell was responsible.
Four witnesses swore affidavits corroborating Howell's account of the attack. Jasmine Foreman stated she and Trace were with a group of friends at Smokehouse Meats the night of the attack. The affidavit states:
As the four of us were leaving Two Brothers, Trace and I were walking in front of our group. Trace was directly in front of me talking to a friend when I saw Trace turn around quickly, so I turned around. When Trace and I turned around, a huge man who I now know is De'Monte Russell was standing directly in front of us. I heard De'Monte say to Trace, "are you the guy that threw that drink?" I saw Trace starting to try to say something to De'Monte, but before Trace could even say anything De'Monte began throwing punches at Trace--the first punch grazed Trace's face, but the second punch made full contact and knocked Trace out. It was a complete sucker punch, and it was clear that Trace had no idea that the punch was coming.... When I saw De'Monte punch Trace and then saw Trace's head smack the ground, I immediately know it was serious because I witnessed Trace's eyes rolling backwards. I got down and started tapping Trace's chest to keep him alert, but Trace's eyes kept just rolling back. After we saw blood coming from the back of Trace's head, I yelled out for someone to call 911, but everyone around was in such shock that no one moved, so I ultimately called 911. It was clear that Trace was seriously injured...Foreman and friends followed the ambulance to the hospital. A Starkville police detective called her but never did interview her:
Two to three weeks after the attack on Trace by De'Monte, a Detective with the Starkville Police Department called my cell phone and I was able to answer the call. The Detective stated that we needed to schedule a meeting to discuss the attack. I told him that I could not meet that week due to my involvement with Springboard Week for my Masters program but that I would be happy to meet the following week. As of today's date, I have not heard back from the Detective or anyone else from the Starkville Police Department since I left that message.A MSU Dean asked her if she was sure the attacker was Demonte Russell:
During my Springboard Week, Fajr and I went to the YMCA building on campus and ran into Dr. Tabor Mullen, who is the Associate Dean of Students at Mississippi State University. I had previously gotten to know Dr. Mullen through his wife, Dr. Jackie Mullen, who was an advisor for the Student Government Association. On this day, Dr. Mullen brought up the attack on Trace. Dr. Mullen asked if Jamine and I were sure that Trace's attacker was De'Monte, and we both confirmed that De'Monte was undoubtedly the attacker.Fajr Hicks, Rachel Thompson, and Graham Leslie provided similar accounts in their affidavits, claiming Starkville Police ignored them as well. Their affidavits are posted below.
Howell's family has been demanding Russell's prosecution for aggravated assault. However, Russell has not yet been charged by Starkville Police.
District Attorney Scott Colom said his office has not yet received the file from SPD. He expects to present it to the grand jury. The grand jury meets twice more this year.
This episode is not Russell's first brush with trouble. He was arrested for a DUI in 2023 although the disposition of the case is unknown. He managed to get into a brawl at the Armed Forces Bowl as well.
49 comments:
They should just make him read Shad's book. That would be punishment enough.
Typical Starkville, Grew up there and heard lots of stories about how the MSU football and basketball players had untold infractions swept under the rug.
KF, you've got the ball now run with it! Looks like you are jukin' right through the lamestream media, Starkville police, and MSU media complex....justice needs to be served.
One of my biggest ickes is when someone does something egregious and then says "that's not who I am as a person." You don't get to decide what acts define you as a person and which ones don't. This IS who you are as a person. What matters next is how you face the consequences.
This MSU football THUG must be protected at all costs.
Embarrassing
This is a nightmare for his parents. This is exactly why I am raising my children to avoid people like this at all costs.....can never relax.
Who is State's fixer?
Where's the family's lawyer? Unless this blog coverage excites the SPD into taking action, a lawyer is the family's next option. If I were the boy's father, I'd be demanding an audience with the Chief of Police. And, "We're looking into it" is bullshit!
Kingfish; Please make up your mind which damned format you are going to use. This one is maddening, and you've heard that before.
Really pathetic that no charges have been filed. Maybe State attorney general needs to get involved. The rule of law is important for all citizens
Really pathetic that no charges have been filed. Maybe State attorney general needs to get involved. The rule of law is important for all citizens
Trace has exactly the right lawyer representing him.
@ 1:56 is the overwhelming winner today!
If you think the PD is blowing you off or failing to investigate or protecting a perpetrator, I recommend filing a complaint with the Public Integrity Division of the AG's office. As citizens, we fund the largest law firm in the State - the AG's office. I would go to them first. If they failed to get anything moving, then I would hire a private attorney.
2:32, Click on the documents that KF posted with the story. That will answer your question.
The alleged assault issue probably has been very much tampered down and may be much less of an issue.
"Trace has exactly the right lawyer representing him."
Really? Then Trace should fire him.
MSU has a Vice President of Media & Public Relations. Contact him. (Ahem)
Bet he's an English major after reading his text.
Bullshit 3:48. This only happened four months ago. Did you see the schedule of witness declarations and medical records Jeff Reynolds' firm put together? I guarantee this is not going away, and Scott Colom knows it.
So the MSU associate dean of students had the nerve to ask if they were SURE it was a highly valuable football player who did the assaulting, after said player slid into the victim’s insta DM’s with a half ass apology.
I’d include that dummy’s name in the coverup lawsuit. I’d also stop talking to the media until I ran through every investigator at the state AG’s office and possibly USAG. You want every branch of law enforcement on record as being informed but sitting on their hands before blowing the whistle.
Free advice: Mississippi is a one party consent state. Record every phone call and conversation.
I agree with 1:56 PM. However, this assumes that he can read and comprehend words at all
MSU has been known for its football thugs as long as I've followed the college game, and then there are the students who were arrested after allegedly trying to board a plane to join a terrorist group. What's going on at that school?
The next student he assaults will have a hell of a lawsuit against the school. Protecting criminals over students is never right. Do better Starkville.
To answer your question, yes he will
How big of a deal would this story be if the races were reversed?
4:42 I went to Ole Miss and I guarantee you it’s not a Starkville issue. It’s worse in oxford and always has been. Thugs thugs thugs
Sounds like a lot of The School Up North comments to me
Keenum making that Mil per year though!…
to the fish @ 2:31.... it used to be a lawyer ,last name yost.
Tabor Mullen had connections at Mississippi State. You can have his job if you hang around and take classes long enough.
Another Institute of Higher Learning demonstrating the lengths they will go to to protect the Non Academic Side of their money making machine. They are sending the message loud and clear along with the town that if you are of this Athletic Class that Short of Murder, they will go to great lengths to let the world know their Athletes have free rein to hurt other people and have no consequences. Regular Old Students do not matter, beat them, break them or rape them, TPTB will do what they can to facilitate the Obfuscation of Justice.
DeMonte Russell should not be let go without consequences as if he is able to skate without prosecution and go into NFL, his crimes will continue with DV among other issues more than likely. After reading what CU players are experiencing in CO with guns, money fighting on campus with Prime and President having knowledge shows National wide what has changed in education at our colleges. Trace will have medical issues the rest of his life through no fault of his own. The American Dream is different for those brought up with Christian values. Praying resolution is fast approaching & God will show His power in the outcome!
I did not attend State or Ole Miss. I went to another school but pull for State and Ole Miss as a life long Mississippian. I have watched or attended their various athletic events for decades. State has always recruited individuals with this type of character to represent their athletic program and university. They play dirty, take cheap shots and think a brawl is the way to settle anything if there is are no weapons available. They have repeatedly embarrassed their hosts and the university by their conduct at bowl games. When you consistently recruit individuals of this character, a cancerous culture imbeds itself in the program. Why is anyone surprised when this type of incident occurs when sponsored and coddled by the university’s athletic programs, now
funded by NIL.
I'm as big a State fan as anybody but I sure hope that Russell gets served, whether that means expulsion from the team or school, or serving time. No place for this.
KF, wonder if your wordy friend Sid will call you soon to help kill the story….
Your anecdotal opinion is noted 8:21.
My experience has been the opposite as I have witness more thug attitude from Ole Miss players.
That said, I hope they are all swiftly and equally punished and think the university athletic worship is out of control.
This kid will fit into the NFL nicely, since they too seem to gladly look away when players are criminals.
Recruit known hoodlums, give them an off campus apartment, funnel them NIL money — what could possibly go wrong??
The thuggery began with the Sherrill era and has been accepted, dismissed and denied by long-suffering MSU fans and the university ever since.
And you can wrap that in Maroon and White !
The prior coach at MSU would have kicked him off the team. It’s up to the reporters covering MSU football to ask the current coach if he will do anything.
What does that question mean or possibly relate to?
Salter is the Vice President of Communications referred to @ 3:51. He usually busts loose (following orders from Keenum) any time Mighty Mouse is needed to 'save the day'. Not this time.
State by no means has a monopoly on thug recruitment. I can't recall any State player being photographed with a Bong or Play-Pissing in the end zone though.
BTW: Simmons should have been rejected out of hand and never been allowed to suit up. Now he's turned into an NFL thug thanks to MSU.
LOL. Jeffery Simmons says”not so fast, my friend”
As a State fan and supporter, I hope this guy is charged and held accountable. I have never had any sympathy for criminals in any capacity. Malik Heath was the worst and I was glad to see him gone (to OM). However, Ole Miss definitely can't throw any stones with the number that they've had!
Will be settled privately with the victim being paid off from MSUX athletic funds, and the criminal will remain on the team until he eventually graduates into prison.
I wasn’t a very good high school football player, but there is one thing I knew that the attached picture shows this guy hasn’t learned yet. That is “if you are going to a fight as a dressed out football player, leave your helmet on.
So embarrassing that Mississippi State University and the Starkville Police appear to be openly protecting a violent criminal at the expense of a good student who did everything right. I’m not sure if MSU officials realize how appalling their inaction is to humans, but they need to get a clue before their prized football player starts filling up the morgue with students he misunderstood.
State's first game is 3 days away. The criminal thug is still on the team and listed as a starter. Everyone associated with Mississippi State University should rise up and speak out against protecting this punk who will never give the school a red cent or give a damn about Hail State when he leaves. This assault cover up starts at Keenum's office and supported by the athletic department in coordination with the Starkville Police. Do true State fans really think seeing that this thug suits up and plays for you on Saturday matters more than having some principle? Could you not at least demand suspension of this future convict until the matter was brought to the surface and settled? I am sure if he makes a tackle Saturday throngs of State fans will stand and cheer while they turn their heads to justice. What an example you are setting for the young kids sitting next to you. How do you think that makes the family of this poor kid with staples and a brain bleed feel? State is the poster child for what is wrong with sports today and why spoiled, coddled athletes are allowed to consistently commit crimes and prey on unsuspecting, innocent
victims, knowing they will be protected and are above the law. SIckening.
And, no, I am not an Ole Miss graduate. Just a long-time devoted Mississippi sports fan who hates what college athletics has become and hopes that State loses every game that this criminal plays in.
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