Former University of Wisconsin and NFL football player Erasmus James pled not guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct after a fight broke out at Wando’s early Nov. 6.
James is also charged with a felony of substantial battery-intended bodily harm. He has not yet entered a plea on that charge.
James was silent while his attorney, Steve Mays, entered the plea and asked Commissioner Scott McAndrew to wave reading of the criminal complaint.
James was released on a signature bond under the conditions recommended by Chad Wozniak from the District Attorney’s Office. The conditions include James must not go to Wando’s, must not consume alcohol during his case and must not threaten or do any harm to Kyle Massey, the friend with whom James was fighting.
According to a police report filed by Madison Police Department Officer Scott Favour, the fight began when the bartender would not serve James after bar close.
James became angry and, in an attempt to calm him down, Massey put a hand on James’ arm. James proceeded to yell, “Don’t fucking touch me,” according to the report.
He then threw a punch at Massey, missing him and hitting another friend. Massey subdued James by pinning him to the ground, according to the report. When he let him go, James punched him in the face, causing a laceration below his left eye. Massey required five stitches on the laceration.
According to James’ criminal complaint, the disorderly conduct charge is based on James “[engaging] in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly behavior.” The substantial battery is charged because James “did cause substantial bodily harm to Kyle Massey, by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm.”
James’ case was transferred from McAndrew to Judge William Hanrahan.
According to the complaint, if James is convicted of disorderly conduct, he could be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to 90 days in jail. If James is convicted of substantial battery, he could be fined up to $10,000 and spend up to three years and six months in jail.
James is scheduled for a status conference Nov. 30.
