TCU coach Gary Patterson informed media members on Tuesday afternoon that star wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin has been kicked off the team. Turpin was arrested on Sunday for assault and charged with bodily injury of a family member, according to Tarrant County Jail records. The Tarrant County Jail confirmed that Turpin had been released from custody on Monday.
Turpin had also been previously arrested in March in Las Cruces, New Mexico, for battery of a household member. However, the full scope of that incident was apparently not disclosed and/or known by TCU. In a statement released on Tuesday, prior to the announcement of Turpin's dismissal, TCU said: "The football staff was aware there was an incident in New Mexico, but not that charges included an alleged battery. The publicly available information they reviewed at the time only showed a charge related to property damage. We did not know until yesterday that his legal issues were unresolved."
"Obviously, I wish I knew more," Patterson told reporters.
Gary Patterson: "I'm not trying to cover anything up." Said the most important individual in this case is the victim.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 23, 2018
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the March incident is believed to have also involved the same victim as the incident over the weekend. A bench warrant for failure to appear in court was issued by a judge in July after Turpin failed to appear at a pre-trial hearing. Turpin had been serving a suspension for his arrest over the weekend. An initial statement from TCU on Monday said Turpin "also may face a charge of violating the University Code of Student Conduct, the results of which are independent and separate from any legal charges." The most recent charge against Turpin is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, meaning he could face up to a year in prison if convicted of the crime.
Turpin was one of the best players on the Horned Frogs roster. The senior had been a standout special teams contributor, returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma in Week 8. He also had 29 catches for 410 yards and three touchdowns this season.
