Middle school wrestling coach among those arrested for beating man

Brady Joseph Rousset turned himself in Wednesday, the same day he was suspended from his job at Glenpool Middle School. Rousset teaches special education, also.

Tulsa County prosecutors on Tuesday filed assault with intent to kill charges against Rousset, 31; Michael Martin Wright, 30; and Eric McDowell Pond, all of Tulsa.

The men allegedly dragged 21-year-old Elijah Ward of Tulsa to the back room of The Id Bar on Jan. 1, beat and kicked him unconscious and then threw him in the parking lot.

Rousset and Wright, who are roommates, surrendered to police after learning that detectives went to Glenpool Middle School a day earlier to arrest Rousset.

School principal Danna Garland said Rousset has been the school's wrestling coach since last school year. He had taken a day off for "personal business" on Tuesday, Garland said. On Wednesday, he was placed on administrative leave without pay "until the matter is resolved."

"We just don't feel like we have all the facts in the case,"

Garland said. "The district will not take any further action until we have the full picture."

Rousset and Wright were booked into the Tulsa County jail before being released on $25,000 bail. Pond, a bouncer at a bar, is being sought by police.

According to affidavits filed in court Wednesday, Pond "ambushed" Ward as he was preparing to leave, and took him to a back room where he was "brutally" attacked.

Ward's family members said passersby found the beaten man behind the bar and summoned help. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital where he remained in a coma for nearly a week. Ward recently was released from the hospital.

"It is doubtful he will ever fully recover," Ward's father, Charles, said.

Assistant District Attorney Sharon Ash said the victim may have long-term disabilities because of the attack.

Detectives said the beating was planned because Ward at one time dated Rousset's ex- girlfriend.