WFAA: Willis fights hate crime allegations

[J.T.supporta]

11:15 PM CDT on Monday, October 9, 2006

By JOE TRAHAN / WFAA-TV



WFAA-TV
Justin Willis said build up of months of harassment led him to the physical confrontation. DALLAS - A starting quarterback at Southern Methodist University is speaking out after he was suspended for violating team rules in what police have called a hate crime.

A Dallas police report says the trouble started at an off-campus party at another football player's apartment.

According to the report, Justin Willis and a friend entered the party, approached a male and said, "I heard you been talking (expletive)." It then said Willis called the victim a slur used for homosexuals.

But suspended quarterback Willis, a freshman at SMU who played high school football at Denton Ryan High School, said the conflict began months ago.

"There were days that I didn't even want to leave my dorm room because I didn't know if I would be questioned about this every day," he said.

Willis said the alleged victim wanted to have a relationship with him, and he had told him on numerous occasions that he wasn't interested.

"I know that hitting was not the right way to do it, but I kind of snapped from all the fury and all the build up inside," he said. "I'll be the first one to admit that I apologized for hitting him."

The report said the victim received a one-inch cut above his eye and his lips were severely swollen from the physical confrontation.

"I mean, I couldn't picture myself as that person, having a hate crime upon me," he said. "I know that is going to scar my name having people read that..."

Willis said he told the coach about his problem with the victim a few months ago, but no formal complaint was filed.

While Willis hasn't been charged, he was suspended indefinitely and his college career that showed promise is now in jeopardy.

[RE Tycoon]

Video is up now as well... http://www.wfaa.com/video/?nl