MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A student suspended for allegedly assaulting her ex-boyfriend, a 320-pound football player, says University of Memphis officials are treating her differently than a male basketball player facing similar charges.
Jalysia Thompson, 22, was suspended Jan. 6 until the summer for a Nov. 27 incident in which Tigers defensive lineman Van Houston called campus police to his apartment. She also doesn't understand why Houston also hasn't been suspended after she was left with a deep scratch on her right arm.
"We all were involved," said Thompson, who is charged with domestic assault in Shelby County General Sessions Court.
Tigers basketball player Jeremy Hunt sat out two games after being charged with domestic assault in the alleged Jan. 10 beating of ex-girlfriend Tamika Rogers.
University officials said the difference is that the incident involving Thompson occurred on campus, which falls under the school's code of conduct. The incident involving Hunt took place at Rogers' apartment off campus.
"The whole judicial affairs process takes into account whatever is the full situation involving the particular incident and issues, as well as any other issues involving that student," said university counsel Sheri Lipman.
Thompson told police on Nov. 27 that Houston manhandled her, while his teammate, defensive lineman LaVale Washington, provoked her. Officers decided that Thompson was the primary aggressor based on contradictory statements, according to a police report.
