FSU running back Dalvin Cook was found not guilty of misdemeanor battery Monday afternoon, and said he hopes to rejoin the Seminoles football team as soon as possible.
Cook was found not guilty in a one-day trial. Madison Geohagen had accused Cook of punching her in the face outside a Tallahassee bar in June, but her only witness was a friend who admitted she was intoxicated at the time.
“In light of today’s ruling in his misdemeanor battery case, Cook’s indefinite suspension from the team has been lifted, and he will be eligible to practice and to compete representing the University effective immediately,” the school said in a prepared statement.
The jury needed less than 30 minutes to announce the verdict.
“She is very disappointed with the verdict,” said Pat McDonough, Geohagen’s Atlanta-based attorney. “This is a sad day for victims.”
The woman who has accused Cook of striking her said in court Monday that FSU players taunted her by saying “Google us. We can buy and sell you in two years” as Cook’s battery case began Monday morning.
Geohagen said Cook at first tried to calm the friction between the other players and Geohagen but ended up striking her at least once and perhaps more times. The defense team challenged her on that, saying “you’re saying you were hit multiple times by a 215-pound football player and the only damage you had was to your lip?” “Yes,” she said.
The case is supposed to last a day, maybe two.
Geohagen said another player was making fun of her dancing and said, “You’re a ho.” She responded, “If I’m a ho, your mother is a ho.” Da’vante Phillips, whose mother was murdered in a drive-by, became angry.
Testimony indicated that Geohagen was unable to identify Cook until days later.
It was confirmed that the only two witnesses who say they saw Cook hit Geohagen were the accuser and her friend Keara Lubeski, who admits she was intoxicated.
Testimony also indicated Cook tried to calm things, arguments ensued, and he finally hit Geohagen. She testified that she said, “I can’t believe you hit me. If you really want to do it, hit me again.”
Cook is one of the highest profile running backs in the nation, rushing for 1,000 yards as a freshman despite not being a full-time starter for the year. If Cook had been found guilty, he would have been in jeopardy of not playing this season.
