MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A tentative plea agreement was reached in the case against a former West Virginia basketball player accused of breaking a man’s nose and denting a car in July 2018.
The two sides seemed in agreement entering a status hearing for Wesley Harris, 21, before Magistrate Tim Pocius. Harris was charged with battery and destruction of property.
As the plea offer is not final, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ami Main declined to officer specifics because terms could still change. Main told Pocius the state needed time to clarify if any of the repairs to the victim’s vehicle were reimbursed by insurance.
“We’re going to double-check, make sure of what that total amount might be then we’re going to enter a plea agreement,” Main said.
Defense attorney Rocky Gianola expressed concern that his client, who is graduating soon, might not be able to easily come back to Morgantown and asked if he could have Harris sign a blank plea agreement while he was still here, then present the agreement on Harris’ behalf when the time came. Neither Main or Pocius objected.
Harris was arrested July 18, 2018, two days after the altercation.
According to the criminal complaint, Ryan Casteel told officers he accidentally turned the wrong way on Jones Avenue due to Stewart Street being closed when Harris, traveling on Jones Avenue, got out of his Chevrolet Avalanche with Mississippi plates and began arguing with him.
Casteel told officers he stepped out of his car and Harris threw him against his vehicle, denting and scratching it. He claimed Harris then pushed him to the ground and punched him several times, breaking his nose.
An unnamed bystander who works for WVU’s athletic department told the officer the attacker was Harris, and Casteel and his fiancé said the attacker identified himself as Harris.
The forward was dismissed from the WVU basketball team on Feb. 11 for a violation of athletics department policy in what was an unrelated incident.
After graduating, Harris has announced he will transfer to Tennessee State of the Ohio Valley Conference for his senior season.
Harris was a two-year starter for the Mountaineers. In 59 career games, he scored 370 points and grabbed 233 rebounds.
