MSU's Demetrious Cox pleads not guilty to assault charge

EAST LANSING - Michigan State University football player Demetrious Cox was arraigned Friday on a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a Nov. 24 incident in downtown East Lansing.

Cox, 22, a starting defensive back and one of the team's captains, pleaded not guilty to the charge in 54B District Court, according to court records. His first pretrial hearing is set for Jan. 5.

Court records indicate Cox was cited for assault by East Lansing police about 3 a.m. Nov. 24 near the intersection of Albert Avenue and Grove Street. He did not play in MSU's final game against Penn State because he violated team rules, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said.

Cox told the Lansing State Journal he was falsely accused.

The misdemeanor assault charge is punishable by up to 93 days in jail upon conviction.

Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.