Navigating the Carlton Bragg Situation

The battery charge against KU sophomore Carlton Bragg has been dropped by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

Last Friday, Kansas sophomore standout Carlton Bragg was arrested and charged with battery against a female KU student, stimulating internet speculation, hot takes, and character accusations in the direction of the Jayhawk forward.

As a result of the pending investigation, head coach Bill Self indefinitely suspended Bragg, leaving him on the sideline in street clothes for last Saturday’s game at Allen Fieldhouse vs. Nebraska.

While the initial outlook did not appear favorably toward Bragg’s actions or his future with the program, the investigation told a different story.

The following, from Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star:

“The Douglas County District Attorney’s office on Wednesday dismissed the misdemeanor battery charge against Kansas basketball player Carlton Bragg and filed a battery charge against Saleeha Soofi, the woman who claimed Bragg punched her.

The decision by Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson came after the Lawrence Police Department obtained surveillance video that showed a woman shoving and pushing a man, according to a release from the prosecutor’s office.

After the charge was dropped, KU coach Bill Self lifted Bragg’s indefinite suspension from competition.”

From the beginning of the investigation, head coach Bill Self promised to be diligent, stating in a press release:

“Carlton and I have spoken. He certainly understands the circumstances surrounding this issue. We are taking this charge very seriously; we’re going to hold him out from competition as we continue to gather facts.”

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In the social media, impulsive reaction age, accusations often double as guilty verdicts in the court of public opinion.

In the follow up of the charges against Carlton Bragg, it appeared to be a case study in the opposite orientation.

Due process is defined as, “fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen’s entitlement.” Due process was also something that the modern age does not favor, as some KU fans were quick to turn on Bragg. The nature of this case did not help.

Violence against a woman is unacceptable and has essentially ended the careers of former NFL stars Ray Rice and Greg Hardy, highlighting a major shift in how the public perceives such heinous actions.

What Bragg deserves now is a chance to let this incident subside as a result of the findings done by law enforcement.

Bragg told The Kansas City Star:

“This has been a difficult and humiliating experience for me, and I’m glad it’s over. I appreciate the authorities taking the time to get this right. I also appreciate the support of my teammates and coaches, and I’m glad I can put this behind me and move forward.”

We must trust in our justice system and we must let them, not us, be in charge of the allocation of innocence and guilt, no matter where our human emotions take us.

Bragg will return to the Kansas lineup on Saturday at the Sprint Center, as the Jayhawks take on Davidson.

Caleb Feist contributes content weekly each Thursday. View his archive, or follow him on Twitter.