Report: Former Chaparral, Arizona football star Davonte' Neal charged with first-degree murder
Davonte' Neal, a two-time Gatorade Arizona High School Football Player of the Year at Scottsdale Chaparral who later played for Arizona, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Arizona, the Idaho State Journal reported.
Neal joined his former high school coach, Charlie Ragle, in January to be an assistant coach on his Idaho State staff. Ragle led Chaparral to three consecutive state titles from 2009-11 with Neal leading the last two as a receiver and cornerback.
Neal went on to play at the University of Notre Dame, before transferring to the University of Arizona.
According to the Idaho State Journal report, Neal was arrested on May 25 in Pocatello, Idaho, on an extradition warrant from Maricopa County.
The report says that Pocatello police said that Neal has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, a class one felony; one count of drive by shooting, a class two felony; and one count of discharging a firearm at a structure, a class two felony. It reported that the alleged incident took place on Nov. 11, 2017.
The report did not provide further details.
Pocatello police said that Neal was indicted by a grand jury in Maricopa County on May 16, according to the report.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office released an indictment Thursday afternoon confirming the criminal charges Neal faces and said he awaits extradition to Arizona. The indictment charges Neal in the death of "Bryan T. Burns.'' No other details were immediately available.
The attorney's office said the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office submitted the criminal case against Neal.
Ragle did not return a message from The Republic.
Eddy Zuby, head coach at Gilbert Higley, where Neal helped coach last season as a defensive backs coach, would not comment.
Idaho State issued a statement saying they were taking steps to terminate Neal.
"I have been in constant contact with (Ragle) who has known Davonte’ for many years and never had any knowledge or suspicion of a possible crime of any kind," Idaho State Athletic Director Pauline Thiros said in the statement. "The news of Davonte' Neal’s arrest and charges in Arizona was a great shock. Going forward, we will cooperate in every way possible, safeguard our program and culture, support each other and our students, and allow the legal process to work. The news is devastating and we hope for resolution for all involved."
Republic reporter Perry Vandell contributed to this report.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Chaparral football star Davonte' Neal charged with murder
