Thursday, December 3, 2009

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Lacrosse player once again on the defense in court

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• 3 Conn. athletes accused of sex assault conspiracy

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- A local lacrosse player already accused conspiracy to commit sexual assault, appeared in court Thursday in connection with an earlier alleged attack.

Zachari Triner, 18, of Marshfield, Mass., arrived in Hingham District Court to face charges of assault and battery stemming from a fight that occurred in March. The 20-year-old male victim was reportedly beaten so badly that his injuries required reconstructive facial surgery.

Triner is also one of three Sacred Heart University lacrosse players accused of conspiracy to commit sexual assault on a female student. The victim claims she was having consensual sex with a member of the team when her partner allowed Triner and another player to enter the dorm room.

"Mr. Triner vehemently denies any wrongdoing whatsoever... It is a shame that the public has chosen another group of college lacrosse players to convict in the court of public opinion before all the facts are in," said Triner's attorney, Donald Cretella, in a released statement.

Triner has been allowed to return to Sacred Heart University after being suspended, according to Cretella.

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