COLUMBUS — An assistant professor has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge after a video showed an encounter with an independent journalist.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The argument happened inside The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Smith Laboratory on Feb. 9.
Michael Newman, an independent journalist, said he was punched by Assistant Professor Luke Perez on Monday while attempting to interview former OSU president E. Gordon Gee.
The footage captured a hallway confrontation that ended with Newman appearing to fall to the floor.
Perez was placed on leave the day after the alleged assault.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Suspect nicknamed ‘Oscar the Grouch’ found hiding in trash can in Huber Heights
- Former Bengals player pleads guilty to assaulting officer, public intoxication
- Driver runs red light, causing 3 car crash in Dayton intersection
Ohio State University spokesperson Ben Johnson addressed the university’s response to the faculty member’s actions.
“We are aware of the incident, and it is very concerning that the faculty member involved has been placed on administrative leave pending a full OSUPD investigation and thorough review of the facts,” Johnson said.
Newman asked the judge for a temporary protection order, saying he fears that Perez will retaliate against him.
The judge granted Newman’s request; however, if Perez is at a location for work and Newman is also there, Perez is still allowed to be there.
Perez is also allowed to be on campus.
Newman previously spoke to our news partners at WBNS-TV about the experience.
“I was punched — it was like an open-hand punch, this whole side right here,” Newman said.
He noted that the hallway confrontation happened instantaneously, and his first instinct was to protect his equipment as the camera fell to the floor.
“As bad as my injury was, my First Amendment rights were violated — and that’s just as bad,” Newman said.
The Ohio State University Police Department is conducting a full investigation into the incident.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
