Roommates fight over boy

By Juana Summers

Published April 3, 2007

A student was arrested after assaulting her roommate in a disagreement about a shared romantic interest, MU police Capt. Brian Weimer said.

The altercation occurred between 6 and 7 p.m. on March 20 in Johnston residence hall.

The suspect, sophomore Ashley Groves, was arrested by MU police after the incident.

The victim was Groves' roommate, Weimer said. He said the assault occurred inside of the residence hall during an argument between the two individuals.

"The contact appears to be a shove," he said. "She ended up pushing the individual out of the door."

Weimer said Groves was not armed. She was arrested under a city ordinance because the assault was perceived as a threat to the victim's safety.

Following this altercation, the victim told police this was not the first time that an argument the two had been involved in caused a violent altercation.

But the victim had not reported the prior incident, which occurred off-campus, Weimer said.

Residential Life Director Frankie Minor could not be reached for comment about Groves' residential status.

According to the Student Conduct Code, a student could be subject to sanctions if he or she engages in any kind of physical abuse of another individual.

Students who violate the rules of the Student Conduct Code are brought before the Judicial Peer Advisory Council. But former Student Court Chief Justice Rachel Fredrick said an assault like this one would fall under the jurisdiction of council adviser Donell Young. Young is a staff member in the Department of Student Life.