Rasheed Knight. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Last updated at 11:08 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
Update: We have recently received information that bail conditions included a property bond. Previously, a memorandum of proceeding from the initial hearing was omitted from the public record.
ST. CROIX — The man who reportedly fractured his teammate’s skull with a baseball bat was released on his own recognizance by the courts.
Rasheed Knight appeared before Judge Yolan Brow Ross on Wednesday for his advice of rights hearing in connection with the incident that the VIPD at the time classified as near deadly.
According to court documents, a concerned citizen called 911 on July 7 around 10:17 p.m. to report a fight in progress at D.C. Canegata Ballpark.
Responding officers met Rasheed Knight there, who told them that he had been in a physical altercation with his teammate after they had argued about the ongoing game.
Court documents state that Knight explained to officers that his teammate had gotten into his personal space and was yelling, at which point Knight pushed him. Knight admitted to swinging the baseball bat that was in his hand, which connected with his teammate’s head. The suspect told police that his other teammates began to fight him, and thus he was placed in the dugout to await law enforcement officers.
Witnesses who were interviewed by police reported much the same – Knight and his teammate were arguing, a loud noise reverberated, and when the parties were separated, Knight’s teammate lay bleeding on the ground, while Knight was holding a weighted wooden baseball bat.
A wanted poster was issued by the VIPD on July 8, and Knight — accompanied by his attorney — presented himself to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station on July 11, around 3:00 p.m. When the poster was issued, the VIPD said Knight was wanted on charges of first-degree attempted murder, and first-degree assault. When he turned himself in on July 11, Knight declined to provide a statement and was subsequently arrested and charged with third-degree assault, carrying or using a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery and mayhem.
Bail was initially set at $100,000; however Magistrate Judge Yolan Brow-Ross allowed him to be released into the custody of his father ahead of trial.
Public court records indicate that Knight’s charges have dwindled to one count of third-degree assault. We have recently received information that bail conditions included a property bond. Previously, a memorandum of proceeding from the initial hearing was omitted from the public record.
Rasheed Knight’s next court appearance is set for July 26.
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