CLINTON, Mass. (WHDH) — The Clinton High School basketball player charged for beating his girlfriend is no longer allowed to play on the school’s basetball team.
Herberto Rojas Junior, 18, was allowed to play in a game earlier this week after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in Fitchburg.
Clinton High School defended its decision to let Rojas play after he was arrested, arguing that the player was innocent until proven guilty of the allegations.
But nearly a week after he was arraigned on Friday, Dec. 9, school officials said the decision to not let Rojas play was mutual. They would not say if Rojas was removed from the team, only that he was not permitted to play.
According to court paperwork, Herberto Rojas Jr. and his girlfriend got into an argument when driving in Fitchburg. His girlfriend said he punched her in the face multiple times. Police said the girlfriend had “swelling to the right side of her face and her lips as well as red marks on the side of her face.”
Rojas allegedly got out of the car and fled. Police later showed up at Clinton High School and arrested Rojas.
Rojas went to court on Friday, where he was arraigned on charges of assault and battery. He then returned to class and played basketball for the high school that night.
Many parents disagreed with the school’s original decision to let Rojas play after he was charged.
“Playing sports is a privilege and you have to follow the rules they set,” said parent Trisha Morse. “They set boundaries for the kids and you need to follow them.”
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