Vince Nairn • Staff Writer • vn379506@ohiou.edu
The Athens Police Department is investigating an Ohio University football player for breaking into a Mill Street home Saturday night.
Jason Corriher, assistant athletic director for media relations, confirmed in a statement that the player is defensive lineman Melvin Payne, a redshirt freshman from Mobile, Ala.
A resident of 159 Mill St. reported to Athens police Sunday that he had awoken to find a black man with an athletic build and long black dreadlocks standing in his room. The resident yelled and the man ran through the glass door, leaving a trail of blood, according to an Athens police news release.
That same night, the Ohio University Police Department responded to a reported stabbing at a dorm.
Later, police found evidence suggesting the stabbing victim was actually the alleged burglar and that his injuries came from the glass door, according to the release.
Officers went to the man's dorm, but he was not there. There is now a warrant out for his arrest, according to the release.
We are aware of the situation concerning defensive lineman Melvin Payne. Our first concern obviously is Melvin's well-being
and we are grateful that he was not seriously injured. We are currently in the process of gathering more information Corriher's statement said.
A second-year student, Payne played in 13 games last season. He totaled 13 tackles, one interception, two blocked kicks and a touchdown.
Payne is not expected to be a starter next season.
Payne's teammates, Andrew Joseph A.J. Oxley and Donte Harden, were suspended from the team earlier this quarter for charges stemming from drunk driving.
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