Cephus’ attorneys want one of charges dismissed
MADISON – Attorneys representing Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus filed a motion in Dane County court challenging several of the allegations made against him in a criminal complaint and are seeking to have the charge of second-degree sexual assault dismissed.
“We are challenging some of the key facts in the criminal complaint because of evidence that we have and that the state has,” attorney Kathleen Stilling said Thursday morning after Cephus made his initial appearance on two sexual assault charges. “And this evidence es-
tablishes Quintez’s innocence.”
Cephus, 20, did not enter a plea. He was released on a $5,000 signature bond and his preliminary hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 6.
He is not allowed to have direct or indirect contact with the alleged victims and is not allowed to share any photos or direct anyone outside of his legal team to share the identity of the alleged victims.
Cephus has been charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault of an intoxicated victim and one count of third-degree sexual assault. The alleged assaults occurred April 22 in Cephus’ apartment.
Both are felonies. Maximum penalties for the first charge is up to 40 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine for the second charge.
Co-counsel Stephen Meyer and Stilling want the charge of second-degree sexual assault dismissed. According to their motion: Meyer and Stilling argue they have evidence showing the alleged victim of the second-degree charge was not intoxicated to the point at which she could not provide consent. Rather, video from a security camera shows the woman walking normally as she exits Cephus’ apartment.
In addition, they argue the woman sent a text message to Cephus informing him she left her vaping device in his apartment.
They contend the text message included heart and kiss emojis.
The junior has been suspended indefinitely by UW under the studentathlete discipline policy.
Cephus practiced with UW through Aug. 17. He left the team before the Aug. 18 practice and released a statement on Twitter declaring his innocence.
“Quintez is innocent,” Stilling said. “There were three people in that bedroom that night and all three of them know the truth, and we want all the facts to come out to establish the truth.
“I do want to remind everyone that a criminal complaint is a slanted, onesided version of the events, and we look forward to getting out all of the facts and clearing Quintez’s name.”
According to the criminal complaint, UW wide receiver Danny Davis, who is Cephus’ roommate, also was present at the time of the incident and took at least one photo of one of the two women involved.
Davis has not been charged with a crime.
He has been suspended for the first two games of the season.