Student charged with aggravated assault in June 1 beating

Borough Police have charged a Princeton lacrosse player and a player from another school with aggravated assault in the beating of a Princeton student that occurred on the morning of June 1.

Nicholas Hermandorfer '08 and University of Virginia student Adam Fassnacht were arrested after the incident, which occurred in Dillon Courtyard. They were subsequently released on a bail of $50,000 each.

The victim, who remains anonymous, suffered a broken nose, a broken cheekbone and a broken orbital socket in the attack. He was treated at the University Medical Center at Princeton.

"Apparently the victim was standing there talking to a female friend, at which time he was approached by a person later identified as Adam Fassnacht," Borough Police lieutenant David Dudeck explained. "There seemed to be a short discussion between Fassnacht and the victim, at which time Fassnacht struck the victim."

According to further witness reports, Hermandorfer then joined in the fighting, Dudeck said. He added that he could not comment on witness statements, since the formal investigation into the incident is still in progress.

Borough Police initially responded to a call for medical assistance for the victim, who was bleeding from his head, Dudeck said.

He added that "there seems to be a past history between Hermandorfer and the victim." Several other media reports have suggested that Hermandorfer and the victim had previously fought.

The case is currently under review by a Mercer County prosecutor, who may choose to bring the case to a grand jury that would then decide whether to indict the two students.