This post was written by Hatchet reporter Jacqueline Drayer.

A former student who allegedly attacked another student last March is scheduled to appear at D.C. Superior Court Thursday morning.

Ross Richardson, arrested March 6, 2011 by University Police Department officers after witnesses saw him kick and punch another male student, is facing misdemeanor simple assault charges.

The maximum penalty for that charge is 180 days in prison with a $1,000-fine, Bill Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said.

The Hatchet reported in March that the Metropolitan Police Department classified the case as a hate crime in its initial report, after witnesses told officers they heard Richardson call the victim a “fag” during the incident. The court is not pursuing hate crime charges.

One witness saw Richardson kick the victim’s stomach multiple times while the victim was lying on the ground. A second witness saw Richardson shove the victim against a wall while punching him and calling him names.

The victim was transported to GW Hospital for severe head trauma, including bleeding in his brain. In an Infomail four days later, Senior Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Darrell Darnell said the “possible hate crime” and violence of any nature was “upsetting and unacceptable to our community.”

If Richardson pleads not guilty, the case will move to a trial, Miller said. He declined to comment specifically on Richardson’s case because it is a pending court matter.

Pamela Satterfield, Richardson’s defense attorney, and Marnitta King, the victim’s lawyer, also declined to comment.