Louisville Debate Coach Arrested

I am sure there are many sides to this story and I look forward to hearing more. I know both Ede and his wife and they are very good people. I hope for the best for all of them.

From http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/whas11-topstories-090706-uofl-arson.155519f9.html

U of L professor charged with arson, assault

06:19 PM EDT on Monday, July 6, 2009

WHAS11 coverage

Ede Warner Jr.

(WHAS11) - A University of Louisville professor is in trouble with the law tonight.

Authorities say Ede Warner Jr. is charged with arson, wanton endangerment, and assault.

Warner is a communications professor and coach of the U of L debate team.

The arson charge is a felony that could land Dr. Warner in prison for 20 years if he's convicted.

People who know Dr. Warner are shocked, describing him as a thoughtful professor who solves problems through the art of debate, not through violence.

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But his actions Monday night could change this academic star's future forever.

Dr. Ede Warner seems to have it all. He's an award winning coach of the University of Louisville debate team and an associate professor of pan-African studies.

His home is in this quiet suburban neighborhood, where he lives with his wife of 16 years and 2 children.

But according to a police report, that new home is where Dr. Warner became violent just before midnight.

Police say Warner got into a fight with his wife, saying, "it was on." He then allegedly threw her onto a couch.

While she was in a locked bedroom, she told police Ede Warner tossed her coat onto the stove and turned it on.

The victim was able to escape with a 12-year-old child and throw the burning coat out into the yard before the entire house caught fire.

Dr. Ede Warner was arrested, charged with assault, first degree arson and wanton endangerment.

His wife also took out a domestic violence order petition against him, saying she was afraid he would harm her and asking the court to keep him away.

On campus Monday, students were surprised.

“You don't expect something like that to happen. Especially with him being a U of L professor. It's a bad example for students, but I think students are brought up in homes a lot of times where it happens, so it's real life,” said one student.

The university says since the incident happened off campus, it doesn't require any disciplinary action.

University officials say they will wait to see what happens in court before taking any action.

Dr. Ede Warner is due in court on the domestic violence petition on July 14th.

Before then, he's expected to begin teaching a U of L summer school class.