Assault Charge Against Penn State’s Gavin McKenna Dropped After Evidence Review

Recently, the most serious assault charge against Gavin McKenna, a promising hockey player from Penn State, was dismissed. This decision comes as the young athlete faces lesser charges following an incident last weekend.

Details of the Assault Charge Against Gavin McKenna

Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old freshman center from Whitehorse, Yukon, was involved in an altercation that led to accusations of injuring a man. The Centre County prosecutor announced on Friday that the aggravated assault charge was dropped. This charge required evidence of intent to cause severe injury or extreme indifference to human life.

Incident Background

The incident took place shortly after Penn State’s loss to No. 2 Michigan State during an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium. Initially, reports stated that the victim had injuries on both sides of his jaw and had lost a tooth. However, further investigation revealed that only two fractures occurred on one side of the jaw and that no teeth were knocked out. The victim is currently recovering from surgery.

Charges Still Pending

Despite the dismissal of the aggravated assault charge, McKenna still faces several lesser charges:

• Misdemeanor simple assault
• Harassment
• Disorderly conduct

Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna cited video evidence as the reason behind dropping the felony charge. A preliminary hearing for these remaining charges is scheduled for March 11.

McKenna’s Background and Future Prospects

McKenna, seen as a potential top pick in this year’s NHL draft, was drawn to Penn State after the NCAA lifted its ban on Canadian Hockey League players in Division I. His decision was also influenced by a name, image, and likeness deal with the Nittany Lions, which adds to his visibility in the collegiate hockey scene.

The outcome of the ongoing charges will significantly impact Gavin McKenna’s career and aspirations in professional hockey.