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Former University of Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus was found not guilty of two felony sexual assault charges last Friday, Aug. 2.
Juror April Weir-Hauptman told 27 News, “Everyone came surprisingly to the table with the same exact not guilty verdict, without any discussion.”
Among the evidence used to exonerate Cephus was surveillance footage that his attorneys claimed showed the complainant was not intoxicated and, therefore, able to consent. Cephus’s attorney Stephen Meyer told the media after the trial’s conclusion, “I kept asking myself, ‘what if there wasn’t a video? What if these videos didn’t exist?’ Would [Cephus] be standing here now?”
“And I think we all have to ask ourselves that question.”
It’s time now for Cephus to look ahead. It has been reported that he was expelled from UW-Madison, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports he is looking to return to college and clean up his record. It does make sense that he would work to restore his standing. According to Amy Gill of WKOW, he wants to reapply to school and have his record “cleaned up.”
The lawyers for former Badger WR Quintez Cephus announce they are petitioning UW-Madison for his readmission. They have asked for a response by Thursday. This follows last week’s not guilty verdict in his sexual assault case.
— Amy Gill (@amygillsports) August 6, 2019
Before he can do that UWS 17.18 must be taken into account and his next step is to petition Chancellor Becky Blank, and, “...the readmission decision should be made in consultation with the Title IX coordinator.”
His effort to be reinstated isn’t being done alone. Cephus’s former and current teammates are making their pitch to restore his standing using the hashtag #LetQTPlay.
Now that the nonsense is over, there’s no reason for him not to be on the field with the boys this season #LetQTPlay pic.twitter.com/ZxIaokvh00
— Dare Ogunbowale (@DGO23_) August 6, 2019
Let Big Dawg Play ❗️ pic.twitter.com/WsqyUzQykJ
— Faion Hicks (@Faion_Hicks) August 6, 2019
He deserves this! Make it happen NOW! #LetQTPlay pic.twitter.com/rupVhC5ClX
— Scotty Nelson (@_scottnelson) August 6, 2019
#LetQtPlay ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6fGuKmBPnR
— Nick Nelson (@Nickcityy) August 6, 2019
After practice on Wednesday morning, Badgers head coach Paul Chryst was asked about whether the team would welcome Cephus back into the fold if he wanted to come back and play with them.
#Badgers head coach Paul Chryst says he would welcome Quintez Cephus back if it's what's best for Cephus. No timetable on the chancellor's decision.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 7, 2019
Paul Chryst says he’s very open to Quintez Cephus coming back to the team if he’s reinstated. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/NbeDnyzscl
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 7, 2019
We will have more on this story as it develops.
Bob Wiedenhoeft helped with this story.