Sixth arrest in UConn stabbing case

Nov 4, 2009 - 10:23 PM STORRS, Conn.(AP) -- A Hartford man has been charged with lying to police investigating the stabbing death of UConn football player Jasper Howard.

UConn Police Lt. Andrew Fournier says 18-year-old De'Quan Muhammad was arrested on Monday and charged with making a false statement, hindering prosecution and interfering with an officer.

He was being held Wednesday on $200,000 bond and is scheduled to return to Rockville Superior Court on Friday, according to court records. He has not yet entered a plea.

It was unclear if Muhammad, who is not a UConn student, has a lawyer. A phone listed for his home address in Hartford was no longer in service on Wednesday.

Muhammad twice denied to police any knowledge of the Oct. 18 stabbings outside a UConn dance, according to an arrest report.

"Information was subsequently received that showed Muhammad did have knowledge of the events that occurred during the altercation and stabbing and that he told more than one person that he had witnessed the altercation," according to the report.

Six people face charges stemming from the fight and the police investigation.

John Lomax III, 21, of Bloomfield, is charged with murder. He is being held on a $2 million bond.

De'Quan Muhammad is not believed to be related to 20-year-old Hakim Muhammad of Bloomfield, who is charged with conspiracy to commit assault for his alleged role in the fight.