Wheaton College Hazing Case: Last Player Pleads Not Guilty

WHEATON, IL — The final of five Wheaton College football players accused of brutally hazing a freshman has plead not guilty. James Cooksey, 22, of Jacksonville, Florida, entered his not guilty plea Monday. The other four players, Kyler Kregel, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Noah Spielman, of Columbus Ohio, Samuel TeBos, from Allendale, Michigan, and Benjamin Pettway, of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, pleaded not guilty in late October.

The five football players face charges of aggravated battery, mob action, and kidnapping for allegedly hazing an underclassman in 2016. The freshman was left on a nearby baseball field with two torn shoulders after he had been beaten and forced into a car. The victim also alleged that the players threatened him with sexual assault.

Judge Brian Telander later placed a gag order on the case, but has now lifted it at the request of the men's lawyers to allow them to make public comment about the alleged sexual assault threats. The players and their attorneys have yet to make comment.

On Monday, Telander also agreed to permit Pettway and Cooksey to possess firearms for the purpose of hunting animals, according to Daily Herald. Telander also previously permitted all five players to leave the state when they were out on bond.

Daily Herald reports that accused player Benjamin Pettway is again requesting to leave the state, this time for missionary work. Telander is expected to consider that request on Jan. 11, when all five players appear in court.

Catch up on the Wheaton College hazing case by reading these articles:

Brutal Wheaton College Hazing Incident: Cops

Wheaton College Hazing: All Suspects Surrendered, Released On Bond

Accused Wheaton College Players Can Leave State: Judge

4 Players Accused In Wheaton College Hazing Plead Not Guilty

Judge Removes Gag Order On Wheaton College Hazing Case

>>Image via Wheaton Police