Former Wisconsin-Stout skater Jared Britton was found not guilty Friday night of murder and aggravated battery in the 2010 death of Bradley Simon.
Allegedly, shortly before 2 a.m. last Sept. 18, Simon left a tavern in downtown Menomonie following an altercation with Britton that involved a group of Stout hockey players and others. After taking a bike from behind a house, a criminal complaint said Simon was allegedly pushed by either Britton or Jedediah McGlasson, an incoming recruit from Alaska, causing Simon to veer into a wall and fall off the bicycle.
Simon sustained a brain injury and died five days later at a hospital in Eau Claire. According to testimony during the trial, Simon’s blood alcohol was 0.225, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08.
“This is a clear example of why college students should limit their drinking,” defense attorney Earl Gray told the Chippewa Herald.
“These are college kids, not gangsters,” Gray told the jury. “They were out having a good time. Unfortunately, a tragic, tragic accident happened. You can’t put the blame on Mr. Britton.”
Because of pending civil litigation by the Simon family, the Brittons declined a request for an interview by the Herald.
The trial of McGlasson on charges of party to the crimes of felony murder and aggravated battery is set to begin Aug. 9.
