Temple player charged with punching girlfriend

Temple football player Kamal Johnson allegedly held his girlfriend captive for three hours after dragging her down the stairs, punching her and accusing her of cheating on him.

The girlfriend told police that Johnson came to her apartment on the 1600 block of N. 15 th St. after a phone argument. He allegedly demanded to see her cell phone. When she refused, he forced her into the hall and dragged her to his apartment in the same building.

He allegedly punched her once in the back and threw her to the floor where she hit her head. She told police that he forced her to sit in a chair in his bedroom for over three hours. She was eventually let go at 3:52 a.m.

Johnson, 20, a junior defensive tackle on Temple University's football team turned himself into Philadelphia Police Central Detectives Thursday night and remained in custody Saturday.

He was arraigned early Saturday on felony kidnapping and misdemeanor charges including unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault. Bail was set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing will be held on Oct. 23

The victim, a Temple student, reported the alleged assault on Thursday to Temple Police who turned the case over to Philadelphia detectives.

Police said that she showed signs of scratching, bruising and a bump on her head and complained of dizziness and blurred vision.

The victim told police that Johnson "had been abusive to her during their three year relationship," police said.

The incident occurred in a building called The Edge where the university rents several floors. Raymond Betzner, Temple spokesman could not say whether the incident occurred in university housing.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound student from Willingboro. N.J. started in the first two games. Johnson was not at Saturday's game 37-28 win against South Florida.

He started at defensive tackle in the season's first two games against Villanova and Maryland and has seven tackles on the season. He was a team captain at Willingboro, where he played defensive end and tight end.

He's majoring in broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media.

Temple coach Steve Addazio refused to comment on Johnson's arrest or his status with the team.

"No comment. No comment," Addazio said after the Owls defeated South Florida, 37-28, in Saturday's Big East Conference game at Lincoln Financial Field. "You know what, this a great moment today. I'm going to really enjoy the moment, and really enjoy the players that are in that locker room right now. That's about where I'm at."

Betzner said it would be up to the coach to decide on whether Johnson would be suspended from the team. If found guilty, he could face university discipline which could include expulsion and losing his football scholarship. Johnson was a redshirt junior which means he sat out a year to get an extra year of eligibility.

Staff writer Joe Trinacria can be reached at jtrinacria@philly.com or 215-854-2771