New Mexico State point guard's arrest detailed in report
LAS CRUCES — A statement of probable cause filed in Doña Ana County Magistrate Court provides detail on what led to New Mexico State basketball player Mario McKinney's arrest last week.
McKinney was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center early Wednesday, Feb. 23, on a misdemeanor charge of assault against a household member and released later in the day on his own recognizance.
The report states McKinney was arguing with a woman inside her apartment Tuesday, Feb. 22, at The Verge Apartment Complex when the woman became fearful of being hit. The woman told police she was backed inside the bathroom while McKinney was standing in the doorway. McKinney left the apartment after the woman dialed 911, according to the statement. He is not alleged to have made physical contact with the woman.
McKinney, a sophomore from St. Louis, is the backup point guard for the Aggies. He scored four points and hauled in five rebounds in nine minutes Monday, Feb. 21, against Seattle. He was arrested the following night in Las Cruces. He traveled with the team for a Feb. 26 game at Chicago State, but did not dress.
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NMSU play-by-play broadcaster Jack Nixon said McKinney was suspended from the team during his broadcast of the Chicago State game. Head coach Chris Jans said the team was handling the situation internally and did not comment further.
"We're aware of the situation, and we're still attempting to gather as much information as we can," NM State athletic director Mario Moccia said. "There's policies in place to handle this, and it'll be handled internally."
Because McKinney is charged with a misdemeanor and not a felony, the head coach has discretion in the discipline of the student-athlete, Moccia said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Stephen Wagner is a sports reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can found on Twitter at @stephenwag22 and reached at SWagner@lcsun-news.com.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State point guard's arrest detailed in report
