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Players cases advance

FAIRMONT — The repercussions from an assault involving Blue Earth football players continue to play out.

A second teen, Blake Joseph Barnett, 18, now of Des Moines, recently pleaded guilty in Martin County juvenile court to a felony assault charge. As part of a plea bargain, a charge of aiding and abetting assault was dropped.

Sentencing is scheduled for September, with the plea deal calling for no jail time. Barnett was charged in juvenile court because he was 17 at the time of the incident.

According to court records: Barnett and three other teens on the Blue Earth football team assaulted a fellow team member on Oct. 19 at a party in Winnebago. Those charged reportedly punched and slapped the alleged victim until he was unconscious, causing a concussion, and severe bruising and swelling to his face.

The assault led to questions and divisions within the Blue Earth Area School District, as the players about to face charges were allowed to play in a state quarterfinal game Nov. 10. It also prompted widespread media coverage.

Previously in the case, Dalton Lee Nagel, 19, of Blue Earth pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct and aiding and abetting assault. His sentencing is next month.

Meanwhile, Wyatt Eugene Tungland, 18, of Frost is expected to appear in court later this week.

Caden Ochsendorf has been charged, but his case is not open to the public because he was younger than 16 at the time of the assault.

While the events occurred in Faribault County, the cases were moved to Martin County (Fairmont) because a former prosecutor involved was appointed a judge in Faribault County.

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