Smith cleared of sexual assault charges

Former University of Wisconsin tailback pleads no contest to obstructing an officer, will have record expunged upon completion of community service

Sexual assault charges against Dwayne Smith and Anwar Jones were dropped Tuesday, after DNA evidence discredited the men’s accuser, according to reports.

Smith, 20, a former University of Wisconsin tailback, was charged with second-degree sexual assault in late February for allegedly raping a 19-year-old Madison woman. Jones, 23, was charged with being party to the crime of second-degree sexual assault for allegedly guarding a door as the assault occurred.

The charge against Jones was dismissed Tuesday. Smith’s assault charge was amended to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer. He is accused of lying to police; initially claiming he did not have sexual contact with his accuser before stating that he had consensual sex with her. Smith paid $459 in fines and court fees Tuesday and upon completion of 40 hours community service will have the obstructing charge expunged from his record.

At a preliminary hearing in March, the 19-year-old woman said Jones escorted her to a downtown Madison apartment, where they engaged in consensual kissing. Jones, who is not a UW student, was then accused of guarding a bedroom door while Smith allegedly raped the woman.

DNA evidence, however, confirmed that the woman had sexual contact with Jones, contradicting her testimony.

Smith led Wisconsin in rushing last year with 857 yards and nine touchdowns on 165 carries. He would have been the Badgers’ No. 2 tailback this season but he was diagnosed with a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in August, forcing him to quit football.

Smith remains a student at UW and will remain on medical scholarship through the spring of 2007. He is serving as a student assistant coach.

Additional information

Sun sets on Smith’s UW career

Smith case will go to trial

Source material

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Capital Times

MilwaukeeChannel.com