Prosecutors Drop Felony Charge Against Penn State Hockey Star McKenna

Prosecutors in Centre County have decided to drop the felony aggravated assault charge against Gavin McKenna, a prominent hockey player at Penn State University. This announcement follows developments related to an incident that occurred on January 31 outside Doggie’s Pub in downtown State College.

Incident Details

During the altercation, McKenna was accused of striking a male victim twice in the face. These actions resulted in multiple fractures to the victim’s jaw, requiring subsequent surgical intervention. Police reported that the confrontation began after an exchange of words between the victim and McKenna’s group.

Prosecutors’ Decision

After reviewing video evidence of the incident, prosecutors concluded that McKenna did not exhibit intent to inflict serious harm or act recklessly. Consequently, they announced the withdrawal of the aggravated assault charge against him.

Remaining Charges

Despite the drop in the felony charge, McKenna still faces several legal challenges:

• Misdemeanor charge of simple assault
• Summary offenses for harassment
• Disorderly conduct

Future Implications

At just 18 years old, McKenna is anticipated to be a top contender in the upcoming NHL Draft. However, it remains uncertain how these ongoing charges might influence his draft stock or availability for professional play.

Penn State’s Response

Penn State athletics has acknowledged awareness of McKenna’s legal situation but has refrained from making any further comments. Questions persist regarding potential disciplinary measures from the university or NCAA in light of the events.