Randle cited for skirmish / LJWorld.com

Archive for Tuesday, April 18, 2006

J-W Staff Reports

April 18, 2006

Kansas University defensive back Jerome Kemp, 22, and former KU running back John Randle, 21, were involved in a fight with each other shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday in an alley in the 1000 block of Kentucky Street, according to a police report released Monday.

Randle allegedly slapped a 19-year-old woman, an acquaintance of both men, who tried to step in and break up the fight. Randle was given a citation for disorderly conduct and battery. Kemp was not cited.

It's Randle's sixth brush with the law since arriving at KU in the fall of 2003. He was kicked off the football team after being arrested on March 13, 2005, and charged with misdemeanor battery.

Randle was arrested again on April 16, 2005, and charged with battery and urination in public. He entered a plea agreement for the two battery charges and spent two weekends in jail.

Following the battery arrests - Randle's fourth and fifth arrests since 2003 - KU coach Mark Mangino promised to keep Randle on scholarship if the Wichita native chose to remain at Kansas and get his degree. Randle declined outside football interest and indeed stayed at KU, causing rampant speculation that he had a chance at playing football for the Jayhawks again.

Randle and Kemp were teammates at Wichita Southeast High before coming to Kansas, and are believed to be good friends. Kemp started the entire 2005 season at strong safety for KU.