LSU football coach Les Miles has no plans to further suspend redshirt freshman linebacker Derrick Odom III, who was arrested Monday night on a misdemeanor charge of simple criminal damage to property.
Odom and former LSU football player Xavier Carter damaged a vehicle Sept. 1 in the West Campus Apartments parking lot, according to arrest warrants issued Sept. 11. The arrest was Odom’s second in less than a month.
Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette said after Tuesday’s practice that Miles was aware of the Sept. 1 parking lot disturbance shortly after it occurred.
Bonnette said Odom served an extra two weeks of suspension, in addition to the original suspension for late August charges of simple assault, attempted unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling and two counts of simple criminal damage to property.
Bonnette said Odom practiced Tuesday and will dress for Saturday’s game.
“Coach Miles met with both Derrick and the owner of the vehicle once the incident was brought to his attention,” Bonnette said through a written statement. “After learning exactly of what happened, Derrick served an additional two weeks suspension from the team for his involvement. Any other disciplinary action taken against Derrick will be handled internally.”
Additional details have surfaced about the University student who accused Odom, Carter and University student Steven Williams of damaging her vehicle.
Maj. Lawrence Rabalais of the LSU Police Department confirmed Tuesday that accuser Marla Bruton was previously charged with faking a hit-and-run. According to a crime brief published in The Daily Reveille, Bruton was arrested Dec. 1, 2006 on one count of criminal mischief.
Bruton allegedly reported a hit-and-run on Alaska Street, but officers failed to find any debris or crash evidence. According to LSUPD, Bruton then admitted she backed into another vehicle at another location.
Wendy Nall, human resources manager of the Athletic Department, said Bruton is still employed as a student worker with the LSU Football Operations Center. Bruton recognized Odom and Carter from her job, according to the warrant.
Nall said Bruton previously worked for the Operations Center from August to November in 2005 and returned this past January.
Bruton did not respond Tuesday to an e-mail from The Daily Reveille seeking her comment.
Bonnette said Odom was not available for comment after Tuesday’s practice.
Eric Norman, director of judicial affairs, said he could not comment on any potential consequences Odom could face in relation to the University’s Code of Student Conduct.
Carter, a current U.S. track athlete, had not been arrested as of late Tuesday evening. Rabalais said he heard Carter is back in the United States after being overseas for a track meet.
USA Track & Field, the U.S. governing body of track and field athletes, did not return phone calls or e-mails regarding Carter’s arrest warrant.
—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]