Editor's Note: The Daily Reveille recognizes that this story contains an inherent bias as it involves an employee of the newspaper. To ensure this story was written as fairly as possible, all parties involved were contacted, an editor who was not involved in any confidential discussions edited it and an adviser from the Poynter Institute's ethical faculty was consulted.
Daily Reveille Opinion Editor Mathew Sanders was arrested Monday on charges of simple assault and simple battery. LSUPD Chief Ricky Adams said Hayes Barber, chemical engineering junior, filed a police report against Sanders two days after the altercation occurred on the Parade Ground before the University of Mississippi football game. Sanders' attorney said his client is not guilty of the charges. Adams said Barber, a Student Government senator, reported to the police that he was tailgating on Nov. 18 when an unknown male demanded he leave the tailgating site. The man was apparently angry over a previous incident, Adams said. Barber refused to leave, Adams said, and was approached by Sanders and another man. Sanders allegedly grabbed Barber by the shoulder and spun him around, Adams said. In an interview with The Daily Reveille, Barber said he heard someone shout something about a "hate crime" during the altercation. "I am a gay student, and the word 'hate crime' was used," Barber said. "That's why I'm so upset about this." Barber said he would not comment on whether Sanders was the individual who used the phrase "hate crime." After an investigation, Sanders was arrested and issued a misdemeanor summons, Adams said. Adams said an investigation is still being conducted to determine whether a hate crime was committed. Barber initially filed the police report against two individuals but later dropped the charges against the second man. Barber said he realized after speaking with witnesses that he had misidentified the second person. Sanders said he would not comment on the situation. Chris Alexander, Sanders' attorney, spoke on his behalf. "I don't think Mr. Sanders meant any harm to anyone," Alexander said. "This is an individual who went to a tailgating party uninvited sponsored by my client's fraternity. Unfortunately he had to be asked to leave several times." Alexander cited "a history of antagonism toward Mr. Sanders by [Barber]." "I tell you now, Mr. Sanders is not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," Alexander said. "We will show that this is a good man whose reputation is being jeopardized by an utterly false and ridiculous charge." Jeff Jeffrey, editor-in-chief of The Daily Reveille, said Sanders was placed on leave when he learned of the arrest. "Mat will be placed on leave until all documents pertaining to the arrest are complete and until I can make a full determination of the situation," Jeffrey said.
----- Contact Rebekah Allen at rallen@lsureveille.com
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