Aggravated Assault Charge Dropped Against Yukon Hockey Prospect McKenna
Gavin McKenna, a promising young hockey prospect from Yukon, recently had a felony aggravated assault charge dropped against him. The decision came from the Pennsylvania district attorney’s office, citing insufficient evidence as the reason behind their choice.
Incident Overview
The altercation involving McKenna transpired near the main campus of Pennsylvania State University. At the time of the incident, McKenna was just 18 years old and is currently playing college hockey for the Penn State Nittany Lions. The State College Police originally charged him with four offenses, including felony aggravated assault.
Details of the Allegations
- McKenna allegedly struck a 21-year-old man during an argument.
- The complainant reported facial injuries requiring corrective surgery.
- He initially claimed to have been punched twice, resulting in significant injury.
However, subsequent findings revealed discrepancies in his account. Initially, he claimed to have sustained fractures on both sides of his jaw and to be missing a tooth. Authorities later confirmed he was not missing a tooth and had only two fractures on one side.
Legal Findings
Prosecutors stated that for an aggravated assault charge to hold, evidence must indicate that the accused intended to cause serious injury or acted recklessly. A review of the available video evidence concluded there was no indication of malicious intent or recklessness from McKenna’s actions.
While the aggravated assault charge has been dismissed, McKenna is still facing three remaining charges: simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. These charges relate to the serious injuries sustained by the alleged victim during the incident.
As a projected top pick in the upcoming NHL draft, McKenna’s situation continues to evolve as the legal proceedings progress. His performance with the Nittany Lions this season remains a focal point as he navigates these challenges.
