Comments on: UK reportedly lifts Ashton Cobb’s suspension

By: RJS

RJS — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:57:59 +0000

The problem isn’t that the University has the right to action to protect it’s own students; It’s that they can still kick him out of school, even if he is acquitted. The University apparently has more regard for their own kangaroo court than they do for our Constitutionally established and protected legal system. Why wait for any proceedings? The decision has already been made, somewhere behind closed doors in the Patterson Building.

By: LLB

LLB — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:43:15 +0000

The dude definitely said the alleged words in a voice mail; that is not in question. The question was does he pose an immediate threat to himself or others. Who cares if someone would “never do something like that” or “isn’t that type of person,” they still need to have some accountability. I have never killed anyone in my life, nor to I have any intentions to, but if I killed someone, all that would go out the window. People wouldn’t be even consider the fact that I’ve never done it before, it’s out of my character, I’m not a violent person, etc.

As for the innocent til proven guilty, the university is NOT the US legal system - If students are in danger, they are within their right to take action. Don’t think for a minute that the Va Tech shootings did not make Universities more cautions surrounding potential threats to campus (eg Airports response to 9/11). Further, think of the ramifications for them doing nothing, while he holds true to his threats - then we’d potentially be here talking about why the University did NOT act. If it was even as simple as that, it’s clear the University did the right thing.

Any sports program from collegiate to professional would take similar actions if a player is brought up on such serious charges - all it takes is a search through just the NFL to see this. Again, innocent til proven guilty is only good for the US legal system - and he’s not serving jail time or anything until he goes to court.

And, yes, other students, faculty and staff would experience the same thing from UK should they be accused of similar actions.

By: Vermontdawg

Vermontdawg — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:50:59 +0000

Threatening may be a misdemeanor, but Stalking is a Class D felony…up to five years.

By: Mainecat

Mainecat — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:02:19 +0000

So, Bob, have you actually heard this so called tape or are you specuiating on what might have been said.??? As the university has said there are privacy issues here and I don’ think the police would release such things before a trial.

By: JMM

JMM — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:47:08 +0000

I heard the words, Bob, but apparently you are not familiar with the fact that someone is innocent until PROVEN guilty. Were you there for the text messages? Have you heard the voices to determine whether it was him or someone else? Have you heard BOTH SIDES of the story or have you rushed to judgment without knowing any of the facts? Do you know whether it was him or someone else? Have you heard the evidence? Received the jury instruction? Don\’t assume, lest you be caught in a similar fate. The plain and simple fact is that, every single day there are similar incidents at our District Court and, eventually, at Circuit (if the charges are serious enough, which this one, even if true, would not arise to the level necessary to trigger Circuit Court involvement). The University does not rush out and susspend general population students, nor does it suspend its professors, staff, or employees, until and unless it involves something that directly impacts their ability to perform the essential functions of their respective positions. Simply because a student plays sports does not negate their rights and abilities to defend themselves in an appropriate forum. The University rushed to judgment, improperly suspended a student prior to any proper adjudication, and properly reversed course and allowed him to return to school. If the football coaches decide to suspend and/or terminate his relationship, that will be their unilateral decision, but the University, itself, has no business dictating such a result. In the future, bob, learn the full facts before you post. JMM

By: bob

bob — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:53:01 +0000

It appears that JMM did not hear the messages left by Mr. Cobb to his female friend.
telling someone that you will rape and/or kill them while referring to them as a Bitch in several phone calls are not words from a stable person.
It is also not a person I would want to representing the University of Kentucky.

It’s sad to see the University chose the reactive path as opposed to the proactive by allowing this person to return to school. Thank God the young lady did not fall prey to this sick person. I only wish the school could see as clearly as she does, then they would have also said you are not the type person this school wants.

By: JMM

JMM — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:57:58 +0000

There is no doubt that Cobb should be allowed to play, once he is enrolled at the University of Kentucky. Suspension of students for a domestic dispute? Has the University implemented this same procedure for its teachers? Staff? General population? In our country, an individual is innocent until PROVEN guilty. He has already been suspended for one game, which is more than is usually meted out for greater crimes than malice or terroristic threatening. He may well be guilty, but the charge is lacking any real substance and ruining a young man (or woman)’s future without a full-blown hearing is entirely improper.