Aggravated assault-related charges withdrawn against trio accused of violent Ursinus College beating

The three suspects charged in the violent on-campus beating at Ursinus College in November that left the victim with a concussion had all felony aggravated assault-related charges withdrawn at their preliminary hearings this month.

Darius Malik Watson, 18,  and Rylee Ana Leise Watson, 19, both of the 400 block of South Street, Phoenixville, and Marquel Emmanuel Holland, 19, of the 1300 block of Sark Court, Prince Frederic, MD, had all misdemeanor charges lodged against them held over for Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

Holland had charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault withdrawn at his Jan. 7 preliminary hearing, and Darius Watson had the same charges withdrawn at his hearing on Wednesday, but misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, conspiracy to commit assault and disorderly conduct-fighting were held for county court for both men, per court documents.

Rylee Ana Leise Watson, had a felony conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charge withdrawn at her Wednesday preliminary hearing, but had misdemeanor charges of simple assault, conspiracy to commit assault, disorderly conduct, and summary harassment, held for county court, per court documents.

According to the criminal complaint, Collegeville Police were called to a fight on Nov. 3 at 12:30 a.m. at 6^th Avenue and East Main Street on the Ursinus campus, but learned all parties dispersed prior to police arrival due to help from Ursinus campus security.

Then, a little more than a half-hour later, police were called to another assault at Reimert Hall at the college at 708 Main Campus Dr., which was a continuation of the fight from a half hour prior, police said.

Police found the victim bleeding from the head and face, and the alleged assailants fled the scene, per the complaint. Later in the day, the victim sought medical treatment at an urgent care center and a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion, police said.

A witness told detectives that the victim was jumped for no apparent reason, and he was punched and kicked repeatedly, eventually falling on the ground where the assault continued, police said.

Video evidence from Ursinus College on Nov. 5 allegedly showed Holland, both Watsons, and two other unknown individuals approach the victim, police said. Darius Watson allegedly violently shoves the victim, and then Holland allegedly sucker punched him in the face, per the affidavit.

Police said Rylee Watson joined in on the assault after the first few punches are thrown.

All four then take the victim to the ground, where they all begin to punch, and kick him, police said.

Holland and Darius Watson are shown in the video driving the victim’s head into a metal light pole, police allege. Then, they allegedly continued punching the victim in the head. All this occurred before Ursinus security arrives to break up the fight, police said.

Holland then tries to get in one last punch on the victim as officers help him up from the ground, police said.

It was later revealed that Holland had been actively searching for the victim after the first fight, entering dorm suites and waiting for him to return to the residence hall, police said.

Holland and Darius Watson are each free on $10,000 unsecured bail, and Rylee Watson has no bail information, per court records. 

Both Watsons have a formal arraignment set for Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m., and Holland's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 19, per court records.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.