A former Hackensack High School football star signed by the NFL’s Cleveland Browns has been arrested for allegedly punching a man outside a bar in Passaic.
23-year-old Ausar Walcott was at The Palace Gentlemen’s Club on Main Avenue after hours when a fight broke out. According to witnesses, Mr. Walcott punched the victim, Derrick Jones, in the head.
Afterwards, friends took the injured Mr. Jones by car to the Harlem City Hospital in Manhattan, where he was hospitalized in critical condition.
Mr. Walcott, who lives in Maywood, has been charged with first degree attempted murderand second degree aggravated assault.
If Mr. Walcott is convicted of second degree aggravated assault, he could receive a sentence of up to ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), a person commits second degree aggravated assault when he or she attempts to cause “serious” bodily injury to a person. This means that the injury creates a risk of death or causes permanent disfigurement to the victim.
Mr. Walcott’s bail was set at $500,000.00 cash, and he was scheduled to be sent to the Passaic County Jail in Paterson.
Although Mr. Walcott was signed by the Cleveland Browns on May 13, shortly after the arrest the team announced that it had released him.
For more information, see the NorthJersey.com article entitled “Former Hackensack Football Star and Browns Rookie Charged with Attempted Murder.”
