Ex-Browns player pleads not guilty in N.J. beating

6/27/2013

PATERSON, N.J. — A former rookie linebacker for the Cleveland Browns has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges in New Jersey.

Ausar Walcott was arraigned today in Paterson, N.J. He is accused of punching Derek Jones in the side of the head outside The Palace Gentlemen’s Club in Passaic early Sunday.

A prosecutor says Jones is in a medically induced coma at a New York hospital, where he’s listed in critical condition.

The 23-year-old Walcott is being represented by a public defender while he attempts to hire an attorney. He is being held on $500,000 bail. The case will now go to a grand jury.

Walcott, who played for the University of Virginia, was signed by the Browns on May 13 following a tryout. The team released him Wednesday.