Andru Phillips' father shares letter clearing son in Kentucky Football fraternity fight

A parent of one of the six Kentucky Football players facing first-degree burglary charges stemming from a fight at an off-campus fraternity party in March is taking action. Carlos Phillips, the father of Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips and a former Wildcat himself, tweeted a letter from the UK Office of Student Conduct from April 23 clearing his son of any wrongdoing. Phillips was accused of violating Code of Student Conduct Policy L, Harm and Threat of Harm; however, after investigating the incident and speaking with witnesses, UK Office of Student Conduct Assistant Director Libby Hogan found him not responsible.

“Andru Phillips has been found not responsible for violating Code of Student Conduct policy L. Harm and Threat of Harm. The incident report states that a physical fight occurred at an off-campus house affiliated with a fraternity. Through an investigation, Phillips was identified as participating in the altercation. Phillips stated that he was at the house where the altercation happened but arrived as it was ending. Phillips reports that he only went a few feet into the house to check on everyone before stepping back outside and leaving. Phillips stated that he did not hit anyone and that he was not hit by anyone. Witnesses confirm that Phillips was present at the gathering and that he entered the house. The witnesses also confirm that Phillips did not have a weapon and that they didn’t see him engaged in fighting. As a result, AD Hogan found Phillips not responsible.”

Even though the UK Office of Student Conduct cleared all six players — Phillips, RJ Adams, JuTahn McClain, Earnest Sanders, Joel Williams, and Vito Tisdale — in June, first-degree burglary charges were filed on August 19. Tisdale was also charged with wanton endangerment for allegedly brandishing a firearm. Last Wednesday, all six players pleaded not guilty to the burglary charges and waived their right to a preliminary hearing in Fayette District Court. The case will now go to a grand jury. 

Kentucky Football Fraternity Fight: New Details Emerge

This morning, Former Louisville Police Homicide Sergeant and Kentucky State Legislator Denny Butler called KSR again to discuss new details from the case. Butler was contacted by a Kentucky Football coach to help the players fight the charges. He also helped set up a GoFundMe page to hire representation for two or three that cannot afford it, including Tisdale. Among the findings Butler shared are alleged racial slurs by people at the party, Lexington Police issuing search warrants for 12 players’ phones in April, and Vito Tisdale passing a polygraph test stating that he did not have a gun.

Yesterday, Mark Stoops said that between UK’s investigation and the current charges, the six players have been away from the team for at least 13 weeks.

“I appreciate the university and the way they went through a thorough investigation and cleared our players and the way they went about it and gave them a fair process,” Stoops said today. “I greatly appreciate them. If I had any evidence whatsoever that our players are doing something that needs to be addressed, we have no problem with addressing that and disciplining our players. We’ll continue to evaluate that process and see how it plays out.

“We have been patient. Our players have been patient and you have to trust the system; that gets hard. Our players have been out a long time. They missed probably 13, 14 weeks of time on the field right now with this situation. I have to believe in this system.”