Elon junior John Cassady and UNC-Greensboro senior Clinton Blackburn surrendered to Elon Town Police at 10 a.m. Monday and face felony charges after an assault on Lee Mynhardt.

Cassady, 20, and Blackburn, 22, have both been charged with counts of Assault inflicting serious bodily injury, a Class F felony.

The Elon Police Department has been investigating Mynhardts assault for the past three weeks. Officers have found that Mynhardt was present at a party at 211 N. Lee St., Cassadys home, on the night of Feb. 2 and into the early morning hours of Feb. 3.

At some point in the evening, an altercation began between Mynhardt, Cassady and Blackburn, which resulted in Mynhardt suffering spinal injuries after being slammed on his head. The Burlington Times-News reported Tuesday that the police investigation found Mynhardt had been thrown head first to the floor during the fight.

Both students posted $5,000 bonds and had court appearances at the Alamance District Court in Graham scheduled for last Tuesday.

North Carolina law states that the penalties for Class F felonies could range from a three to 59 month sentence. Captain Sam Russell of Elon Police noted that these months do not have to be actively served, but can instead consist of community service, house arrest or intensive probation. Judges will take things like Cassady and Blackburns records and backgrounds into consideration.

Fox News reported Monday that doctors have stated that Mynhardts paralysis is most likely permanent.

SGA sent a card and an Elon blanket to Mynhardt, and paid for his family to eat out in Chapel Hill last week.

Cards or donations can be sent to Dr. Smith Jacksons office in Alamance 109.

Elon Judicial Affairs is conducting their own investigation into possible social honor code violations. Judicial Affairs has interviewed 11 students and plans to speak with several more in the days and weeks to come.

Cassady was contacted for questioning but refused to comment.

News Editor: Alyse Knorr - 02/22/07