[LightningRod]

Don't forget about our friends up north.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

U-M's Horton lands in court

Point guard pleads not guilty to a single misdemeanor count of domestic violence.

By Fred Girard / The Detroit News
Steve Perez / The Detroit News

Daniel Horton, a junior guard, from Cedar Hill, Texas, was the most valuable player in the Postseason NIT in 2004.

Daniel Horton, the starting point guard for the Michigan men's basketball team, pleaded not guilty Monday to a single misdemeanor count of domestic violence in what police called a lovers' quarrel.

Coach Tommy Amaker said he would decide on possible discipline no later than today, after talking to Horton and his parents.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor issued a warrant Thursday in connection with an incident Dec. 10, according to Lt. Michael Logghe of the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Logghe said Horton was contacted Monday morning and told of the warrant. He reported to 15th District Court in Ann Arbor.

He was arraigned at 10 a.m. before Magistrate Michael Gatti.

Gatti entered a plea of not guilty on Horton's behalf and set a $5,000 personal bond, meaning Horton had to put up no money. His preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 9 before Chief Judge Ann Mattson.

He faces a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Police originally sought a felony warrant, according to records in the case file, listing the original arrest charge as "aggravated / felonious assault."

Under "Victim Circumstances" was listed, "Lovers' quarrel."

A woman, whose identity police would not release, reported the alleged incident to police Dec. 13, three days after it was said to have happened.

She told police that Horton, her boyfriend, was at her house when she arrived and, after demanding to know where she had been the night before, "put her in a sleeper hold" and choked her into unconsciousness.

When she recovered, the woman told police that Horton "choked her again and told her not to scream again or he would show her how he could kill her."

The woman said Horton stayed two more hours, and the two of them talked. Horton "apologized for his behavior and promised to get counseling," according to the records.

The woman did not seek medical attention, and the officer who took her statement noticed no marks on her neck.

The complainant said she "wanted to file a report for documentation purposes but did not want to prosecute."

Lt. Logghe said it is common for a warrant to be issued even when a complainant is reluctant, because she might be acting out of fear.

Efforts to reach Horton were unsuccessful Monday.

Horton, 20, a junior from Cedar Hill, Texas, has been one of Michigan's strongest players in his three seasons and was named Most Valuable Player at the 2004 Postseason NIT.

Contact Fred Girard at 313-222-2165 or fgirard@detnews.com.

Only a lovers' spat vs OSU out of control