Idaho State assistant football coach charged with first-degree murder
Idaho State football assistant coach DaVonte' Neal has been charged with murder in the shooting of a man in Arizona in 2017, according to a report from the Idaho State Journal.
Pocatello, Idaho, police confirmed Neal was indicted by a Maricopa County grand jury in Arizona on charges of first-degree murder, a count of drive by shooting and for unlawful discharge of a firearm from an incident that occurred on Nov. 11, 2017, the story said.
Neal was taken into custody in Idaho and is awaiting extradition to Arizona.
Neal, who was hired as Idaho State's cornerbacks coach this winter, previously served as assistant coach at an Arizona high school and played for the University of Arizona. He played for Idaho State coach Charlie Ragle at Chapparal High School in Arizona.
Neal has been placed on administrative leave by Idaho State and the school said it intends to terminate him.
Idaho State said in a release that the school conducted a background check on Neal as part of his hiring and that it had found no concerns.
"I have been in constant contact with (ISU head coach Charlie Ragle) who has known Davonte’ for many years and never had any knowledge or suspicion of a possible crime of any kind," Idaho State athletics director Pauline Thiros told the Idaho State Journal. "The news of Davonte' Neal’s arrest and charges in Arizona was a great shock. Going forward, we will cooperate in every way possible, safeguard our program and culture, support each other and our students, and allow the legal process to work. The news is devastating and we hope for resolution for all involved."
Follow colleges reporter Erick Smith on Twitter @ericksmith