Las Cruces, NM – During a press conference on Monday, the legal team of former New Mexico State University basketball player Deshawndre Washington dismissed sexual assault allegations connected to a 2023 hazing incident as mere “horseplay.” Attorneys Michael E. Cain and David Mestemaker categorically denied any criminal activity on Washington’s part, framing the charges as a misunderstanding of locker room antics typical in competitive sports.
Washington, who is facing 15 charges including criminal sexual penetration and false imprisonment, has seen his burgeoning NBA career halted by the scandal. The charges are set amid a broader crisis that led to the suspension of NMSU’s 2022-2023 basketball season and unveiled systemic failures within the university’s athletic programs.
According to investigations, NMSU harbored a permissive environment that overlooked serious allegations of assault. A detailed report by the New Mexico Department of Justice pointed to a “toxic locker room culture,” which, according to the findings, routinely neglected misconduct complaints.
David Mestemaker during his defense remarks underplayed the severity of the incident implicating Washington, suggesting that the actions were synonymous with juvenile play among athletes. “This ordeal is a proverbial storm in a teacup, escalated by misunderstanding of everyday interactions in high-stress sports environments,” Mestemaker stated. He also emphasized the role of the alleged victims, who he claimed were willing participants in the locker room activities.
Washington is accused, alongside two teammates, of leading a disturbing “humbling” ritual, posing severe hazing practices that included forced nudity and inappropriate physical contact among players. Despite Mestemaker’s characterizations, these allegations have drawn significant public and legal scrutiny.
In response to past incidents and following a hefty legal settlement with former players William Benjamin Jr. and Shak Odunewu, who settled with the university for $8 million citing sexual assault by teammates, NMSU has taken steps to overhaul its monitoring and response systems within athletic programs.
Beyond the courtroom and collegiate settings, the broader implications of Washington’s trial, scheduled for April 14, 2025, speak to ongoing discussions about athlete behavior, hazing traditions in sports, and institutional accountability.
The unfolding legal battle and public discourse continue to shape perceptions of sports culture and university governance, highlighting the tension between legacy sporting practices and evolving standards of conduct and safety within team environments.
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