ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Sunday, May 6, 2007 7:00 pm
Police arrested Cornhusker wide receiver Maurice Purify at about midnight Saturday for allegedly assaulting a man and woman at the Alley Bar, 1031 M. St.
Purify recognized the man as the doorman of another bar, where a friend had earlier been refused entry, said Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs.
Purify reportedly pushed the man and hit him several times.
Kirsten Johnson, who complained of facial bruises Sunday, said Purify yelled at her boyfriend before throwing him against a wall and table.
When she tried to stop Purify from hitting her boyfriend, Johnson said, she got hit.
“Never seen him; never met him in my life,” she said.
About six people tried to restrain Purify while her boyfriend called police, she said.
When officers arrived and attempted to handcuff Purify, he refused, Beggs said.
Purify was arrested and jailed on suspicion of assault, trespassing, failure to comply and resisting arrest. He posted bond Sunday and was released from jail.
Contacted Sunday, Purify disputed the accounts. He said he was conversing with the man before the incident occurred but provided no other comment.
Purify, who started on the football team last year after transferring from the City College of San Francisco, is seen as the top returning wide receiver for the Cornhuskers going into his senior year.
Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan issued the following statement on Sunday:
“I’m very concerned about this current situation. I am still in the process of gathering all the facts. I will determine the appropriate consequences when due process has transpired. Until such time, I will have no further comment regarding the situation.”
Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7395 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.