CALIFORNIA, Pa. — One of the five former California University of Pennsylvania football suspects in the brutal beating of a man pleaded guilty in court Tuesday.
Corey Ford, the main suspect in the case, pleaded guilty to assaulting Lewis Campbell, of West Chester, outside of Spuds restaurant in 2014.
Campbell suffered a traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture and was unconscious with spinal fluid leaking out of his ear when paramedics arrived to the scene.
Surveillance video caught the attack on camera, which happened after Campbell reportedly stood up for his girlfriend. The video shows Campbell falling to the ground and Ford delivering a kick to his head before others appear to join the attack.
Witnesses said the suspects ran from the scene chanting, “Football strong.”
Assistant District Attorney Leslie Ridge said Ford never openly expressed remorse.
“I don’t think he expressed anything in open court. His attorney did speak and indicate he wants to get this behind him and accept responsibility for what happened,” Ridge said.
Ford was sentenced with one to two years and will be credited with time served. He will move to serve a federal sentence of 36 months for a separate case, where he pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist in Washington D.C.
Jonathan Barlow, D'Andre Dunkley, Rodney Gillin Jr., James Williamson and Shelby Wilkerson were also charged after the attack.
All charges against Williamson have been dropped. He is now suing the police, district attorney and city.
The four others’ court dates are scheduled for July and more plea deals could be arranged.