Suspects in attack on Ball released from jail

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By Tony Galli - bio | email

MADISON (WKOW) -- Three suspects in the beating of Badgers football star Montee Ball appeared in Dane County Court on Thursday. They received signature bonds as bail, and were released from jail.

Court commissioner Ann Sayles ordered Deonte Wilson, Wendell Venerable, and Robert Wilks to have no contact with Ball. Wilson, Venerable and Wilks are all 21-year-old UW-Madison students.

Madison police officials said the three students participated in a substantial battery against Ball. Authorities said Ball suffered a concussion and other injuries when five people surprised him with an attack as he walked on University Avenue after bar time on August 1.

Authorities said the attack may have been retaliation for a fight at a July 27 party which Ball attended. Authorities have said Ball was not involved in the fight. Sources close to the investigation told 27 News Venerable was hit by several people during the fight and was briefly hospitalized.

Wilson, Venerable and Wilks are scheduled to appear in court on September 10 to face charges in connection to the Ball attack.

Wilks' parents, Robert Sr. and Wyetta Wilks, told 27 News their son has been a good student and has two jobs.

"If he's involved in this incident, it was just a bad decision," Wilks Sr. said.