Illini Lineman Pleads Not Guilty in Attack

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By James Steward

Story Created: Jul 14, 2011 at 6:59 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2011 at 6:59 PM CDT

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A University of Illinois football player has pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated battery in an incident in which two men say he attacked them.

The News-Gazette newspaper in Champaign reports that 20-year-old freshman Chris Jones entered the plea Thursday in Champaign County Circuit Court in Urbana.

Jones is charged in the July 3 attack on two men outside a Champaign bar.

The men told police they are a couple and that a car drove by them and someone in it shouted anti-gay slurs. They said someone then got out and punched each of them. Both had minor facial injuries.

Jones remains jailed on $100,000 bond and has been suspended by the team.

The 310-pound defensive lineman has a prior conviction for cocaine possession in his hometown, Jacksonville, Fla.

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