Martinez pleads not guilty

Mar 6, 2013 - The Associated Press

University of Wyoming senior guard Luke Martinez pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in district court on a charge of aggravated assault and battery in a case stemming from an incident outside a local bar back on the night of Dec. 31.

Martinez, who has been suspended from the team, will have a jury trial Aug. 26-28. If convicted, Martinez could face a fine of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Martinez's attorney, Tom Fleener, said after the proceedings, that Martinez was a victim the night of the incident.

"Luke's the victim here," Fleener said. "He's lost his college basketball career. He wasn't the aggressor that night. It was a bar fight in a college town and no weapons were used. While the injuries were certainly unfortunate, Luke's the one that truly suffered today."

According to an affidavit, a witness reported to police that Martinez kicked a limp and unconscious man, Parfait Nayigihugu, in the face.

The fight, according to the affidavit, began when Nayigihugu grabbed a man matching the description of Derek Cooke Jr. a forward on the UW basketball team, by the arm. Cooke, according to the court document, punched the man, knocking him out.

Martinez then kicked him, according to the affidavit.