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Wisconsin WR Quintez Cephus to stand trial on sexual assault charges

Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus is facing two sexual assault charges. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus is facing two sexual assault charges. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus is heading to trial.

Cephus was charged with two counts of sexual assault last month. On Tuesday, according to the Wisconsin State Journal, a motion to dismiss one of the charges — second-degree sexual assault of an intoxicated victim — was denied by Dane County Judge Jill J. Karofsky, who ordered Cephus to stand trial.

Cephus is also facing one count of third-degree sexual assault for an alleged April 22 incident. Both charges against Cephus, who was suspended indefinitely by the UW program, are felonies.

Cephus has been accused of sexual assault by two women

Cephus was formally charged Aug. 20 after two women said Cephus had sex with them without their consent on April 22. Both say they were too intoxicated to consent.

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

In court Tuesday, Cephus’ lawyers, Stephen Meyer and Kathleen Stilling, argued that the statements of the first woman, who provided the basis for the second-degree sexual assault charge involving the second woman, were unreliable because in surveillance video taken at Cephus’ apartment building following the alleged assaults, the second woman does not appear to be intoxicated and is apparently able to walk and speak normally.

Meyer argued that information from the video should be considered by Karofsky as having been withheld from the criminal complaint despite presenting relevant facts that could have had an impact on the decision to file charges. Assistant District Attorney William Brown said the video provides little additional insight into the condition of the women, and that it’s scientifically impossible to tell simply by looking at a video how intoxicated the women were.

Cephus claims the sex was consensual. After Tuesday’s hearing, he reiterated his innocence.

“I know the truth, they know the truth and I look forward to clearing my name and fighting for who I am,” Cephus said.

Danny Davis, Cephus’ roommate, set to return to field

Cephus’ roommate is Danny Davis, another receiver for the Badgers. Davis was named in the complaint against Cephus and is alleged to have “laughed and took photos of the women.”

Two days after Wisconsin announced Cephus’ indefinite suspension, Badgers coach Paul Chryst suspended Davis for the first two games of the year.

“Based on the information I have available to me at this time, I have decided to suspend Danny Davis for the first two games of the season,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said Aug. 22. “Should further information become available that warrants a re-evaluation of the length of the suspension, I will assess that information. We have a high standard of conduct within our football program and we cannot accept behavior that is not consistent with that standard.”

Chryst said Tuesday that Davis has served his suspension and will play on Saturday against BYU.

Entering the year, Cephus and Davis were projected to be the team’s top two receivers. Cephus, before missing the final five games with an injury, had 30 catches for 501 yards and six touchdowns in 2017. Davis, a sophomore, had 26 catches for 418 yards and five scores.

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