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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Freddy E. Sparks-Ward

Man pleads guilty to stabbing Butler, gets two years in prison

By Northern Star Staff | January 31, 2013

Freddy Sparks-Ward, 25, has pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon in relation to the July 22 stabbing of Devon Butler, a former NIU football player. Other charges against Sparks-Ward were dropped as part of a plea deal, according...

Mark Orozco sentenced to 14 years in prison

Mark Orozco sentenced to 14 years in prison

By Felix Sarver | September 5, 2012

One of the men charged in the April 2011 shooting of former NIU football player Devon Butler was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday, according to a Daily Chronicle. Mark Orozco, 25, of DeKalb, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of residential...

Butler released from NIU football program

By Brian Thomas | July 25, 2012

DeKALB | NIU head football coach Dave Doeren announced Wednesday that NIU linebacker Devon Butler had been released from the program, according to a press release. “Devon has not lived up to the standards we set for members of the Northern Illinois...

Freddy E. Sparks-Ward

Butler stabbed Sunday, back in gym Monday

By Lauren Dielman | July 24, 2012

DeKALB | Football player Devon Butler, 20, received a knife wound in his upper chest after being involved in an altercation Sunday morning in the 800 block of Regent Drive, according to a press release from the DeKalb Police Department. At 3 a.m., Butler...

DeKalb sees increase in violent crimes

By Melissa Mastrogiovanni | May 2, 2012

Once every 1.5 days, a violent crime is committed in DeKalb, according to the DeKalb Police Department 2011 Annual Report. Between 2007 and 2011, violent crimes increased from 191 to 234 instances per year. “It’s no surprise to us that the rate of...

Return to the field

Return to the field

By Jerry Burnes | March 28, 2012

A bird call echoed through Huskie Stadium as spring practice opened Wednesday, signaling the return of one of NIU’s wounded brothers. On a sunny, seasonably warm March afternoon with the wind whipping around the field, linebacker Devon Butler was back,...

Lynch, offensive line, Butler, Clark will have spotlight during spring practices

By Jimmy Johnson | March 27, 2012

Spring isn’t just the time of the year to enjoy weddings and bunnies: it’s football time. NIU football will officially begin its spring practices today. Fresh off their first MAC Championship in 28 years, coach Dave Doeren and the Huskies are back...

Northern Star File Photo

Doeren: Butler will return this season

By Jerry Burnes | March 26, 2012

Almost a year after being injured in an off-campus shooting, NIU linebacker Devon Butler will return to the field, head coach Dave Doeren announced Monday. Butler missed the entire 2011 season after being shot in the back on April 5, 2011, and suffered...

Van Arsdale sentenced to 9 years, may testify against Orozco

By Melissa Mastrogiovanni | March 18, 2012

Richard Van Arsdale III, 21, pleaded guilty to residential burglary in an agreement at a March 9 status hearing. Van Arsdale was sentenced to nine years in the department of corrections for the charge and all other charges were dropped, said Phil Montgomery,...

Van Arsdale pleads guilty, gets 9-year sentence

By Melissa Mastrogiovanni | March 9, 2012

Richard Van Arsdale III, 21, pleaded guilty to the charge of residential burglary in a plea agreement at Friday’s status hearing. Van Arsdale was sentenced to nine years in the department of corrections for the residential burglary charge and all other...

Northern Star File Photo - Jordan Lynch

Faceoff: Spring outlook for NIU football

By Jimmy Johnson & Eli Gehn | March 6, 2012

Jimmy Johnson: March 28 will mark the start of NIU football spring practices. With Chandler Harnish, four out of the five starters departing from the offensive line, there are major questions surrounding the Huskies’ offense. On defense, Tyrone Clarke...

Attorneys in process of finalizing Van Arsdale plea agreement

Attorneys in process of finalizing Van Arsdale plea agreement

By Melissa Mastrogiovanni | February 8, 2012

Phil Montgomery, assistant state's attorney for DeKalb County, requested more time at a hearing Wednesday to determine the amount of restitution for one of the former NIU students charged with the April 5 shooting of NIU linebacker Devon Butler. Richard...