2 women arrested in incident that landed Virginia Tech player in jail

Running back Michael Holmes is being held on assault and malicious wounding charges, one of them a felony charge.

[MATT GENTRY| The Roanoke Times

Tech tailback Michael Holmes’ attorney said the altercation that led to his client’s arrest Sunday initially involved a dispute between Holmes’ current and former girlfriend. Saturday 4/20/13- Virginia Tech tailback Michael Holmes (20) during the Virginia Tech Orange – White Spring football game in Blacksburg Saturday April 20.]

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Michael Holmes

Andy Bitter | 381-1674

Monday, April 22, 2013

UPDATE April 23, 2013: Virginia Tech football player granted bond; more fight details emerge

BLACKSBURG — A fight in a downtown Blacksburg parking lot early Sunday morning involving five people has led to three arrests, including that of Virginia Tech running back Michael Holmes.

Holmes, 19, who was arrested Sunday morning and charged with one count of malicious wounding and two counts of simple assault, had his arraignment in court continued Monday. He remains in jail with a bond hearing scheduled Tuesday morning at 9:30.

Ciara Monet Simms, a 20-year-old sprinter on the Virginia Tech track team, and Kierra Shacuree Barnes, 20, from Radford, were also arrested and charged with assault and battery, a misdemeanor, according to the Blacksburg Police Department. Simms was arrested Sunday night and Barnes on Monday afternoon.

Blacksburg Police Lt. Nathan O’Dell said the incident originated as a verbal dispute between two women that turned physical in the Armory parking lot near the 200 block of College Ave. in the early hours of Sunday morning. A third female then joined, followed by two males, one being Holmes.

Holmes’ attorney, Jimmy Turk, said the original altercation was between Holmes’ current girlfriend and a former girlfriend.

“My understanding with his involvement was that it just involved trying to break up an altercation between several girls,” Turk said.

O’Dell said no weapons were involved. Three victims were treated for injuries. One, a male, was taken to LewisGale Medical Center with an injury that O’Dell said met the criteria for a malicious wounding charge for Holmes.

Turk said Holmes’ girlfriend was also taken to the hospital briefly, although no one had injuries requiring an extended stay. Simms and Barnes’ arrests were made after information was obtained once Holmes’ girlfriend spoke with police. Her name was not released.

Holmes was scheduled to appear in Montgomery County General District court to hear the charges Monday, but that was delayed. Turk filed a motion for a bond hearing that is scheduled to take place this morning.

“I certainly hope he gets out,” Turk said. “I think he will. I would hope so.”

The Virginia courts website also lists a preliminary hearing for Holmes on June 13 at 2 p.m.

The sophomore from Harrisonburg has been suspended indefinitely from the football team because of the malicious wounding charge, which is a felony. That’s in accordance to athletic department guidelines.

From Monday's paper: 3 people injured in incident that led to Virginia Tech player's arrest

Monday, August 12, 2013