Las Cruces, NM (KKOB) – Deshawndre Washington, the former NMSU basketball player accused of hazing, appeared in court via Zoom on Monday for the first time since failing to appear at his own trial in Las Cruces back in August and was still overseas playing in a tournament in Lebanon.
Judge Conrad Perea, granted the state’s request to depose two former teammate Kim Aiken Jr and .Doc Bradley who were also involved in the hazing scandal. Both accepted plea deals nearly two years ago, agreeing to testify against Washington in exchange for reduced charges and sentencing. Also a felony failure to appear charge was canceled.
Judge Perea also granted a gag order intended to shield potential jurors.
The scandal also resulted in a report by the New Mexico Department of Justice, that NMSU fostered a “toxic locker room culture” during this period, citing instances in which the university failed to address serious accusations of assault within the basketball program.
Washington has denied the allegations, saying it was all “consensual horseplay.”
