CSU running back Avery Morrow found guilty of 3rd-degree assault

March 4, 2024

(Graphic Illustration by Malia Berry | The Collegian)

Colorado State University running back Avery Morrow was found guilty of third-degree assault Feb. 29, first reported by Sady Swanson of the Coloradoan. The altercation occurred Jan. 17, 2023.

“The victim testified Wednesday morning that he was riding his longboard home from class around noon, and while stopped briefly at Lake Street waiting for traffic to stop so he could cross the street, he noticed an SUV parked in a no-parking zone,” Swanson reported. “Frustrated with where the car was parked, the victim said he made some gestures — including throwing his hands in the air and giving the driver a thumbs-up — as he rode behind the car to get around it.”

Morrow’s attorney argued this was done to provoke Morrow, and his client reacted in the heat of passion.

Larimer County Deputy District Attorney Michael Mangione told the jury Morrow “chased (the victim) down, tackled him to the ground and punched him in the face several times.”

The running back’s arrest led to a six-month suspension through spring camp, but Morrow did play throughout the 2023 season for CSU.

According to the same story, Morrow was arrested on misdemeanor charges, but those were later escalated to felony charges due to the extent of the victim’s injuries.

Morrow’s sentencing hearing is scheduled on the Larimer County court docket for 3:30 p.m. April 18, and according to the Coloradoan, he is facing a fine up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail.

Morrow is still listed on the spring 2024 football roster.

More updates will be provided after Morrow is sentenced.

Reach Damon Cook at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @dwcook2001.

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About the Contributor

Damon Cook, Sports Editor

Damon Cook is the 2023-24 sports editor for the The Collegian and has been at the paper since August 2022. He started doing coverage on volleyball and club sports before moving onto the women's basketball beat. He is in his third year and is completing his degree with a major in journalism and media communication and a minor in sports management. As The Collegian's sports editor, Cook reports on CSU sports and helps manage the sports desk and content throughout the week. After having a year to learn and improve, Cook will now get to be part of a new age under the sports desk. The desk moved on from all but one other person and will now enter into a new era. Damon started school as a construction management major looking to go in a completely different direction than journalism. After taking the year off during the COVID-19 pandemic, he quickly realized that construction wasn't for him. With sports and writing as passions, he finally decided to chase his dreams, with The Collegian helping him achieve that. He is most excited to bring the best and most in-depth sports coverage that The Collegian can provide.

Comments (4)

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C

C Morrow • Apr 8, 2024 at 12:04 am

Stop making Avery out to be the bad guy. When he was only defending his property. If some one hit your car really hard with ther hand or skate board. After say choice word an gesture you wouldn’t defined your property?


https://collegian.com/articles/sports/2024/03/category-sports-csu-running-back-avery-morrow-found-guilty-of-3rd-degree-assault/#comment-49428
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  Dawn • Apr 12, 2024 at 2:23 pm
  
  I am sorry coming up from behind and beating the crap out of someone is not defending your property. It is a flat out assault. Avery was parked in a no parking zone, he again thinks he is above the law. He could have made different choices that day and he choice was the violent way. The victim has lost permeant eye sight. What has Avery lost? Yes this is a one side comment, but its the facts. Look at the video. I hope this will change Avery to think before he acts.
  
  
  https://collegian.com/articles/sports/2024/03/category-sports-csu-running-back-avery-morrow-found-guilty-of-3rd-degree-assault/#comment-49429
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    C morrow • Apr 15, 2024 at 7:06 pm
    
    So it’s ok too hit some one’s truck then take off on your skate board? See hitting some one may not be the answer. Hitting some one’s property because they park in no parking zone waiting for a team mate also anit the answer……But it’s definitely one side because the other person didn’t have to take accountability for his actions…Wich teaches his him can do what ever he wants because he feels like it!
    
    
    https://collegian.com/articles/sports/2024/03/category-sports-csu-running-back-avery-morrow-found-guilty-of-3rd-degree-assault/#comment-49433
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C Morrow • Apr 8, 2024 at 12:01 am

He threw his hands up? More like said some bad words, an hand gestures. Then proceeded to go behind the vehicle an hit it.


https://collegian.com/articles/sports/2024/03/category-sports-csu-running-back-avery-morrow-found-guilty-of-3rd-degree-assault/#comment-49427