Gophers' McNeil Appears In Court, Bail Set At $75K
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A suspended University of Minnesota basketball player made his first appearance in Hennepin County Court Monday on charges that he attacked his girlfriend.
Daquein McNeil, 21, has been formally charged with felony third-degree assault substantial bodily harm and felony third-degree domestic assault by strangulation in connection with the Nov. 24 incident.
In court Monday afternoon, McNeil's bail was set at $75,000 and he was ordered to have no contact with the victim. He remains in jail.
According to court documents, McNeil went to his girlfriend's apartment last Monday morning and smashed a mirror while she was still sleeping, saying she was ruining his life. A roommate of the victim convinced McNeil to leave, but he came back later.
According to the criminal complaint, McNeil ripped off his girlfriend's pants, choked her and whipped her with a belt. She was able to get away and run to a neighbor for help. Police say they later found the victim's car outside McNeil's residence.
McNeil has been suspended from all Gophers team activities by the university pending the outcome of the case. He was not with the team as it participated in the NIT Season Tip Off last weekend in New York City. The Gophers lost to St. John's 70-61 last Wednesday and beat Georgia 66-62 on Friday. Minnesota travels to Wake Forest Tuesday night as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
McNeil's omnibus hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 5, 2015.
