Keyon Menifield of Flint, Michigan now faces a second-degree assault charge, which is a class C felony.
The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded on the evening of April 6 to a basketball game at the Sports Plex on US Highway 60 West. Their investigation showed there had been a disagreement between referee Kenny Culp and coach Menifield. Deputies said Menifield punched Culp as Culp turned to walk away, knocking him unconscious. Menifield then fled the area prior to deputies' arrival. Menifield was located later at a local hotel and taken into custody.
Sheriff Matt Carter said that after learning the true severity of Culp's injuries, the Commonwealth Attorney's Office decided on April 8 to upgrade the charge to a felony. Carter said detectives contacted authorities in Flint, Michigan and requested their assistance in finding and arresting Menifield, but they were unsuccessful in locating him.
Deputies arrested Menifield without incident Tuesday morning at the McCracken County Courthouse when he reported to his scheduled court appearance on the original charge. His bond has been set at $15,000.
Carter said Menifield has prior criminal convictions for assault and drug trafficking.
After multiple media inquiries, Culp released a statement through his attorney, James Sigler, saying, “I want to express my appreciation to family, friends, fellow sports officials, and the community for their prayers and words of encouragement over the last couple of weeks. Words are not sufficient to express how I felt when I learned that teams at Ballard County High School and Marshall County High School helped to raise money for me during recent games. I also want to thank the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and others in law enforcement who have worked hard to see that justice is served. I am still under the care and treatment of my medical team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.”
On the Net:
Menifield Assault Charge Could be Upgraded
