Vannison Asks for Jury Trial

Donnell Maurice Vannison, charged with second-degree assault after allegedly attempting to fight a Long Reach High student, appeared in District Court in Ellicott City on Friday and asked the judge for a jury trial.

Vannison, 40, of Columbia, wearing a prison jumpsuit, told the judge he's currently being treated for manic depression. He said he left school in the seventh grade.

The prosecutor asked the judge to sentence Vannison to five years, with all but 18 months suspended.

The judge, Ricardo Zwaig, asked Vannison multiple times if he'd like an attorney. Vannison had initially waived his right to an attorney, but after questions from the judge he agreed to have a jury trial and a public defender.

"Mr. Vannison may have some issues that are of concern to his mental health," Zwaig told the prosecutor.

A group of Vannison's supporters, who had waved to him as he entered the courtroom, declined to comment on the case after the hearing.

Vannison in March after he allegedly attempted to assault a 17-year-old Long Reach football player at Long Reach High School, while wearing a ski mask, but was  by the teen. The incident, which was videotaped, became a viral video on the website WorldStarHipHop.com.

School officials, at the time, said the incident may have been related to a previous incident involving the teen throwing french fries at a 15-year-old girl in the cafeteria.

Vannison will apear in court next on Aug. 27 for a settlement conference.

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