Two more Tulane players disciplined after RB arrested in fight

Following the arrest of Tulane University running back Robert Kelley two more Green Wave players now face disciplinary action, a Tulane University spokesman.

Kelley, 21, was arrested Aug. 4 after a student told Tulane police that Kelley struck him and stole his bicycle on July 30.

Court records for Kelley’s arrest say that the victim in the reported assault was allegedly attacked later that same evening by two of Kelley’s teammates – freshman Eric Bell and junior Royce LaFrance, both of Harvey.

Reports say Kelley “jumped the victim and began to beat him repeatedly.”

A statement released by the University spokesman Mike Strecker earlier this week said that Bell, a defensive lineman, had been suspended from the football team. Tulane authorities had reported last week that LaFrance, also a defensive lineman, would be suspended for the first half of the Aug. 28 game against Tulsa. Strecker would not confirm that the suspensions were related to the July 30 incident.

According to records filed in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, the victim of the alleged assault told police that he was standing out side of The Boot bar, a popular hangout near campus, shortly after midnight when he was approached by Kelley and a group of football players. This is contradictory to the original statement naming only Kelley.

The victim, whose age has not been disclosed, claimed that Kelley took his bike and began walking down the street with it. The victim and a friend followed the group and according to the record, when they reached the intersection of Audubon and Freret, Kelley “became agitated and punched the victim in the abdomen, causing him to fall to the ground.

Sgt. Scott Meunier of the Tulane police department wrote in his report that the victim said Kelley then “jumped him and began to beat him.”

LaFrance reportedly punched the victim in the back of the head and Bell struck him in the jaw -Tulane Police Report

The report goes on to say that the victim returned to the bar and ran into several other football players, including Bell and LaFrance. The victim then apparently confronted the players with his rage of having his bicycle stolen by their teammate.

The victim claims he was then assaulted by both LaFrance and Bell, according to Meunier’s report. LaFrance reportedly punched the victim in the back of the head and Bell struck him in the jaw, after which the victim fled the scene and promptly called the police.

According to records filed in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, the victim of the alleged assault told police that he was standing outside of The Boot bar in the 1000 block of Broadway shortly after midnight when he was approached by Kelley and a group of football players.

The victim, whose age is not disclosed in court papers, said that Kelley took his bike and began walking down the street with it. The victim and a friend of his followed the group, and told police that when they reached the intersection of Audubon and Freret, Kelley “became angry and punched (the victim) in his right abdomen area,” causing him to fall to the ground in pain, detective Sgt. Scott Meunier of the Tulane Police Department wrote in his report.

The victim said Kelley then “jumped on top of him and began to beat him,” Meunier wrote.

Later, at the bar, the report says, the victim ran into several other football players, including Bell and LaFrance. Upset about having his bicycle stolen, the victim confronted the players, police said.

Nov 30, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Tulane Green Wave defensive end Royce LaFrance (48) reacts after getting a sack during the third quarter against the Rice Owls at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The victim said he was then assaulted by both LaFrance and Bell, Meunier wrote in his report. LaFrance reportedly punched the victim in the back of the head and Bell struck him in the jaw, after which the victim fled the scene and called police.

Following news reports of Kelley’s arrest, his attorney, Scott R. Bickford, issued a statement saying there was no credible evidence against his client.

“The alleged victim knows Mr. Kelley and has spent time with Mr. Kelley as well as multiple members of the Tulane football team,” Bickford’s statement said.

“There was never any intent by Mr. Kelley to either harm the alleged victim or deprive him of his property,” the statement continues.

“We do believe that the alleged victim was harmed and struck by other persons later that evening. And we believe that other incident is supported by credible evidence. However, Mr. Kelley was not present or in any way involved in that other incident.”

The once former high school football star at O.Perry Walker High School, posted a $10,000 bond at his first court appearance and was released.

Kelley, a senior, has had multiple suspensions during his time at Tulane, including two consecutive spring football suspensions due to academic probation. The issues followed him this summer when when Tulane coach Curtis Johnson continued his suspension pending academic approval, which never came due to the July 30 incident.

No word yet on the status of either Bell or LaFrance. Keep checking bigeasybeliever.com for up to date information.