A former Mankato State football player in critical condition after an altercation after hours in downtown Mankato, Minn., may have delivered the first punch, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Isaac Kolstad, a 24-year-old former Mankato State linebacker, is in grave condition with a fractured skull, the report said. Doctors don't know whether Kolstad will live or what kind of life he may have if he survives because of the undetermined extent of the brain damage he has suffered.
Meanwhile, Rutgers University has dismissed quarterback Philip Nelson, who is facing first- and third-degree assault charges in the incident. According to Mankato police, city cameras show Nelson kicking an already unconscious Kolstad in the head after another man still at-large sucker-punched Kolstad in the side of the head, rendering him unconscious.
Police are still search for the third party, who was reported wearing a red shirt on the night that he delivered the blow that knocked Kolstad unconscious. Witnesses said Kolstad went limp after the blow and his head made a loud noise as it hit the pavement.
Nelson was released on $20,000 bond Tuesday.
Nelson "was not the aggressor in this situation," his attorney, Jim Fleming, told the judge. "The man in the red shirt rendered the young man unconscious."
That could depend on the definition of "aggressor." According to the criminal complaint, a dispute started when a bouncer at one of the bars in downtown Mankato kissed the hand of Nelson's girlfriend, causing Nelson to become irate.
When he saw Kolstad a short time later, he may have confused Kolstad for the bouncer and confronted him. Mankato Sgt. Jeff Knutson said he reviewed footage from the city cameras and reported that Kolstad "raised his arm and punched Nelson in the back area."
The punch knocked down Nelson and another witness, the complaint said. Kolstad walked away, when the man in the red shirt broke free from restraint and ran toward Kolstad, hitting him in the face/head, the complaint states.
The report does not indicate whether the man in the red shirt was the other witness that was knocked down when Kolstad struck Nelson
Kolstad crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Nelson then pushed past some people and kicked Kolstad on the left side of the head at least once. Kolstad was clearly defenseless.
Todd Miller, Mankato's public safety director, said Nelson and Kolstad know each other and played high school football against each other in Mankato.
Nelson faces 20 years in prison for kicking Kolstad in the head.
"You have some decisions that were made by some individuals that probably had some impaired thinking and those decisions will affect many lives for years to come," Patrick McDermott, assistant Blue Earth County attorney, told the Star-Tribune.
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