LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – In 2023, the New Mexico State Men’s Basketball season came to an abrupt end after three now former players were accused of hazing and sexually assaulting others in the program.
Kim Aiken Jr. Deshawndre Washington and Doctor Bradley were officially charged in the hazing case in November 2023. The players were expected to be tried on their charges together, but that could change after lawyers for Aiken Jr. filed several motions in court. In December, The state submitted a list of nine witnesses they wanted to call, the next month they added 13 more.
Lawyers for Aiken Jr. asked to have the testimonies from the additional witnesses excluded, claiming the updated list was submitted too late. Court records show that motion was denied by a judge. Aiken Jr.’s team filed other motions, including ones to make his case separate from Washington and Bradley.
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Aiken Jr. is facing 11 felony counts, while Washington and Bradley are each facing 13. The difference in charges comes from another victim, that lawyers say Aiken Jr. was not involved with. His lawyers say if evidence is heard from a joined trial on that additional victim, it will unfairly judge Aiken Jr. on those charges. The state filed a motion looking to push back the deadline to conduct pre trial interviews. Those interviews are supposed to be done no less than 100 days before the October 21 trial. Court documents show the state’s motion was granted, but the trial has been pushed back.
A hearing for Aiken Jr.’s motion to have a separate trial is scheduled for September 9. A new date for the trial has not yet been announced.