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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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C.J. Mizell arrested after alleged fight at frat party

COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- We have some details on the Sunday arrest of WSU linebacker C.J. Mizell. Read on.

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Here's the short story we just filed after speaking with Sgt. Dan Dornes of the Pullman Police Department ...

PULLMAN – Washington State linebacker C.J. Mizell was arrested Sunday night on allegations of fourth-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespassing following a fight at a fraternity party on Saturday night.

Pullman Police Sergeant Dan Dornes said police were called at approximately 12:24 a.m. Sunday after Mizell allegedly tried to enter a party at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house. When Mizell was denied entry, he allegedly “punched one of the guys several times,” Dornes said.

Mizell fled the scene but was arrested Sunday, cited, booked and released. Fourth-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespassing are both misdemeanors. A WSU spokesman said coaches are aware of the arrest and are still gathering facts.

Mizell, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., started nine games for the Cougars as a sophomore last season, finishing with 56 tackles.

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I spoke briefly with WSU linebackers coach Jeff Choate a while back about Mizell, who had his share of disagreements with the previous coaching staff. Choate said that like all players, Mizell was being given a clean slate, so to speak, under the new staff.

"We’re going to make our judgments about you as a person and you as a player based on what you do -- not what you’ve done in the past, but what you do from here forward," Choate said in an interview on Jan. 19. "That was my message to C.J. and the rest of the linebackers -- 'Hey, this is an opportunity for everyone in this room to get a fresh start."

As a WSU spokesman told me tonight, the coaches are aware of the situation and gathering facts.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple



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