Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush Jr.’s legal proceedings surrounding a May domestic incident in suburban Pittsburgh took another step forward,
Bush appeared in front of Magisterial District Judge Giuseppe Rosselli in Aleppo Township District Court in suburban Pittsburgh on Tuesday, June 3. At that time, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing, according to court records.
Bush, 26, will have his formal arraignment at 8 a.m. on July 18 in district court. At that time, he will have to enter a plea on charges of simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and harassment, which is a summary offense.
The preliminary hearing had originally been scheduled for May 20. That was postponed to Tuesday, June 3.
Bush was arrested in Bell Acres Borough, a community about 20 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, near Sewickley, Pennsylvania. The arrest and charges stemmed from an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend.
According to the original criminal complaint, the simple assault charge is because Bush “attempted to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury to Victim 1.”
The harassment charge, according to the complaint, is because “(Bush), with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm another, namely, Victim 1, struck, shoved, kicked or otherwise subjected the other person to physical contact, or attempted or threatened to do the same, followed the other person in or about a public place or places, or engaged in a course of conduct of repeatedly committed acts which served no legitimate purpose.”
Despite the legal proceedings, Bush has been a participant in the Browns’ voluntary offseason program, including the week after his arrest. According to the court records, he was present in court on Tuesday, the same day the team held the fourth of their OTA workouts.
“He’s in the building this week,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on May 9. “I don’t have much more to comment on past that, but we’ll update you as there’s more information.”
Beyond the legal ramifications, Bush also would be subject to NFL punishment through the Personal Code of Conduct process. The NFL has not responded to a request for comment.
Bush, 26, was re-signed by the Browns this offseason after having played in 16 games with 10 starts last season. He was originally a 2019 first-round draft pick (No. 10 overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the University of Michigan.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns linebacker Devin Bush Jr. waives preliminary hearing, sets formal arraignment
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
