STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University Police Department has charged a MSU student from Columbus with aggravated assault for an attack with a cowbell last year at the Egg Bowl.
Brent Morgan Vowell, 23, turned himself in to MSU police Wednesday afternoon, was charged with aggravated assault and released on $5,000 bond. However, the investigation is ongoing, MSU Police Chief Georgia Lindley said.
“(The investigation) continues and there is still a possibility of other charges and other arrests,” Lindley said. “That”s about all I can say at this point, but we”re very pleased that it”s come this far. It was a slow, long process, but very successful.”
The assault took place Nov. 28, 2009 in the north end zone student section of Davis Wade Stadium after the Mississippi State football team defeated the University of Mississippi 41-27.
The victim, a 21-year-old MSU student, was with friends who were wearing Ole Miss gear, MSU Detective Brad Massey said at the time. Some verbal sparring began between the suspect, the victim and his friends, which culminated with the suspect striking the victim over the head with a cowbell, Massey said.
The victim, whom police have not identified, was taken to Oktibbeha County Hospital, where he was treated for a concussion and large gash on his head.
Mississippi State police two weeks ago released TV camera still-shots of the suspect and his girlfriend in the stands, but received “very few” tips, Lindley said. The suspect in the photos – a college-aged male, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with dark hair and a medium build – appears “similar” to Vowell, Massey said Thursday. He wouldn”t disclose additional information about the case against Vowell.
“I can”t go into the factors of how we were able to identify him,” Massey said. “He was identified, but I can”t explain how he was identified, then he turned himself in.”
If convicted, Vowell faces up to 20 years in prison.
“We appreciate the information we received from people who helped us with this case and the detectives that put in a lot of long, hard hours,” Lindley said.
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