CHARGES STILL PENDING IN SOUTHEAST INCIDENTS

Apparently no charges have been filed nor any arrests made so far in two recent incidents allegedly involving Southeast Missouri State University student-athletes.

The incidents were the focus of a vague, two-paragraph news release issued by the university late Tuesday afternoon.

Following is the full text of the release:

"Southeast Missouri State University announced today that local enforcement authorities notified university officials of two incidents over the past three days allegedly involving several Southeast student athletes.

"Investigations are under way by local law enforcement authorities. The university will monitor the process and release further information when notified of the final conclusion of the investigations."

Southeast officials did not give any specifics on the alleged incidents but Doug Richards, director of the university's public safety department, said, "I don't think any charges have been filed and I don't believe any arrests were made."

The incidents in question reportedly are a misdemeanor assault that took place Monday night in Cape Girardeau and an altercation that took place early Sunday morning at the Purple Crackle nightclub in East Cape Girardeau, Ill.

Sgt. Carl Kinnison, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, said of the alleged assault, "It was a misdemeanor, not a serious assault. And this is one we're not even sure it was any student athletes involved. They have not identified anyone."

As for the alleged altercation at the Purple Crackle, Kinnison said his department was not involved with that. The Purple Crackle is under the jurisdiction of the Alexander County Sheriff's Department, but nobody at that department would release any information Tuesday evening.