Former UM Cheerleader found not guilty in Hashman case

Johnny Beasley, former Ole Miss cheerleader, was found not guilty of simple assault of former Ole Miss baseball player Taylor Hashman last Wednesday in Oxford Municipal Court. 

Judge Larry Little presided over the trial, which stemmed from an altercation at an apartment complex less than a year ago. 

According to Steve Farese Sr., Beasley’s attorney, an argument broke out between Hashman and brothers Johnny and Jordan Beasley at what was then known as The Exchange apartment complex. After the argument took place, Jordan exited the apartment, waiting for a friend to give them a ride home. 

However, Hashman wanted to pursue an altercation, Farese said, and began to go after Beasley, but Hasmnan’s friends held him back. When he couldn’t go out the front door, Hashman then went around back, leaping over a balcony and circling around the building. 

After confronting Beasley, Hashman threw a punch at Beasley, who dodged a punch and then connected with one of his own. The punch knocked Hashman to the ground, where his head bounced off of the pavement. 

The altercation left Hashman in critical condition at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. 

“His injury is a tragic consequence of his own actions,” Farese said. 

Farese said he was not surprised by the verdict, and that it was not a difficult case for Judge Little to decide. He does not anticipate anything else coming from the altercation.

“I think any attorney would see it as a waste of time,” Farese said.

Farese is hoping that Beasley’s life goes back to normal after having to deal with what Farese called “misinformation and rumors about what had happened that awful night.”

“Beasley has had a rough year at school,” Farese said. “The media demonized him after the incident.”

According to Farese, Beasley is currently enrolled at Ole Miss.