Arrest warrant issued for Ole Miss student in Hashman case

A warrant has been issued for University of Mississippi cheerleader Johnny Beasley, who has been charged with a misdemeanor, Oxford Police Chief Mike Martin said.

The simple-assault charge against Beasley was filed by former Ole Miss baseball player Taylor Hashman.

This occurs after the Lafayette County grand jury decided not to indict Beasley for assault-related felony charges on February 18, 2011.  

Ben Creekmore, Oxford district attorney, said there are several possible reasons for why a grand jury may choose not to issue an indictment, and they could range from circumstance to witness testimonies to the finding of probable cause.  

“If you don’t have an indictment, then you don’t have the finding of an existing probable cause that the crime was committed,” Creekmore said.   

The incident under investigation happened July 31, 2010, outside The Exchange apartment complex, now called The Connection, in Oxford where Hashman and Beasley were attending a party.

Sources said Hashman was struck in the face by his alleged assailant during a verbal dispute, fell to the ground and hit his head on the concrete.  

As a result, Hashman suffered a serious head injury from which he has still not fully recovered.

Beasley has not yet been taken into custody.