Duquesne hoops player could have assault charge reduced by completing domestic violence program

An assault charge against a Duquesne University basketball player accused of punching his then-girlfriend in August will be reduced to a non-traffic citation if he completes a domestic violence program.

The deal was worked out between Maximus Edwards’ lawyer and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, which said it reviewed the case “with the victim’s participation and consent.”

Attorney Casey White, who represents Edwards, confirmed the details Thursday.

“The criminal case and charge is going to be dismissed,”White told TribLive. “The case will be moved to the non-traffic division.”

First Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Spangler said Edwards will enter a guilty plea to a lesser charge if he successfully completes “a court-approved domestic violence program by the next court date,” which is Nov. 13.

“This is a standard program for eligible domestic violence cases,” Spangler said.

The incident that led to a misdemeanor count of simple assault occurred around 3 a.m. on Aug. 3 on Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Police said Edwards had been arguing on the phone with the woman, now his ex-girlfriend, about her following a member of Duquesne University’s football team on social media.

Edwards, a guard on the basketball team and redshirt senior originally from Stratford, Conn., was walking with friends when the woman pulled her vehicle into a parking lot to speak with him, according to a criminal complaint.

The woman told police Edwards “pulled her out of her vehicle and punched her in the mouth with a closed fist,” the complaint said.

She told police Edwards then pressed his elbow against her throat while pinning her upper body to the side of her vehicle, the complaint said.

The woman did not lose consciousness but told police she didn’t remember if she was able to breathe.

Edwards is 6-foot-5 and weighs 220 pounds, according to online information from the team.

Police said the woman’s neck was scratched and her lip was red and swollen, according to the complaint. She complained of severe mouth and jaw pain.

Edward was charged the next day.

Edwards’ status on the basketball team, whose season starts Nov. 3 with a home game against Niagara University’s Purple Eagles, remained unclear Thursday.

Rose Ravasio, a Duquesne spokeswoman, told TribLive that “federal guidelines prohibit the university from discussing details of student conduct matters.”

Jim Duzyk, a spokesman for the school’s athletics program, did not return an email or phone calls Thursday seeking comment.

Edwards spent two seasons at George Washington University, where he was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in 2023, before transferring to Duquesne last school year, according to the Duquesne Dukes’ website.