PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Earlier this week, Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna was charged with felony aggravated assault, accused of punching someone outside a State College parking garage. On Friday, that charge was dropped.
According to the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s office, the original complaint alleged the victim was punched twice on the right side of his face by McKenna following a verbal exchange on Jan. 31. The complaint also alleged the victim suffered fractures to both sides of his jaw and that he was missing a tooth.
State College police followed up and found the victim had two fractures to only one side of his jaw, and was not missing a tooth.
To prove probable cause for aggravated assault, there must be proof that the person “acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury or acted recklessly under circumstances showing an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
Officials reviewed video evidence of the incident and do not believe that McKenna intended to seriously injure the other person. The charge was withdrawn, and the district attorney’s office will correct the record to reflect the injuries suffered by the victim.
He'll still face a misdemeanor simple assault charge, as well as summary harassment and disorderly conduct charges.
The victim had surgery and is recovering.
Many experts have projected McKenna as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. He has 11 goals and 21 assists across 24 games this year for the Nittany Lions.