The brief, chaotic video exonerates their client, Leonte Carroo's attorneys said. Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The attorneys for suspended Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo released two videos Wednesday that they say exonerates their client of simple assault.
The cellphone video of a fight near the Hale Center in Piscataway on Sept. 12 shows several seconds of a chaotic altercation. The video is dark and punctuated by flurries of action from several different directions. It's difficult to decipher exactly what's happening, and it does not capture everything that occurred, but Carroo's attorneys plan to call witnesses to support their version of events: that Carroo did nothing wrong.
"Everything indicates that (the alleged victim) is the only one who should be charged in this," said William Fetky, Carroo's attorney in Family Court.
The alleged victim, whose identity is being withheld, said that Fetky's interpretation was untrue. In fact, she said, Carroo picked her up and slammed her to the ground that night, sending her to the hospital and leaving her with lingering pain.
Both sides agree that the incident began with a dispute between the alleged victim and Carroo's now-girlfriend, Maria Vega. The alleged victim previously had a dating relationship with Carroo.
The first video shows a group of people arguing outside the Hale Center. Leonte Carroo isn't even in that video, Fetky said.
The second video was taken about 10 to 15 minutes later, Fetky said. It shows that Vega was surrounded and attacked by women who, like the alleged victim, worked for Rutgers recruiting, Fetky said. The alleged victim approached the scrum and swung a purse at Vega, who was wearing white pants, Fetky said.
The second video shows an escalation of the previous dispute, with several people shoving, pushing and punching.
Fetky said the second video shows Carroo grabbing Vega and taking her away from the fight to protect her. But the video does not show Carroo assaulting the victim, because he didn't, Fetky said.
The two videos were combined into the one video above by NJ Advance Media, lasting about 16 seconds in total.
Shane Turner, a friend of Carroo, was prepared to testify Wednesday in Family Court that he grabbed the alleged victim's arm and pushed her, making her fall, Fetky said.
But the victim said after a court hearing Wednesday that Turner did not assault her -- Carroo did. She knows both men, and Turner wasn't big enough to throw her to the ground, she said. She said that she was attacked, unprovoked, by Carroo's girlfriend and others after a football game. As she was on top of Vega, pinning her to the ground but not hitting her, Carroo came up, grabbed her and slammed her on the pavement, she said.
RELATED: Rutgers' Leonte Carroo never touched assault victim, his lawyer says
Vega has also been charged with simple assault, along with Vega's father, Juan, and Carroo's mother, Lavern. The alleged victim has not been charged.
Carroo "never laid a hand on her," said Peter Gilbreth, who is representing Carroo in his criminal matter. Gilbreth said the legal team has decided to release new information to clear Carroo as soon as possible so he can get back on the team.
On Wednesday, a hearing in Family Court on a temporary restraining order against Carroo was adjourned because the alleged victim did not have an attorney with her.
Carroo has a criminal court hearing in Piscataway on Oct. 1. In the meantime, he remains suspended by a football program dealing with several controversies: Coach Kyle Flood was suspended for three games for meddling in a player's academics; six current and former players were charged in an assault in the spring; and four current and former players were charged with a series of home invasions.
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
