Michigan safety Josh Furman's suspension due to legal troubles; lawyer says it's a 'misunderstanding'

Furman's lawyer says the trial will show the case is "much ado about nothing."

Attorney Gerry Mason said the incident occurred when Furman, who was with two female cheerleaders at a campus apartment, started receiving "nasty" text messages from a man.

When Furman got up, "one pulled a dreadlock right out of his head, because they thought he was going to somehow go looking for the third-party male, and pick a fight with him," Mason said.

Furman then went back to his apartment voluntarily, but the police had already been called. He was arrested that night.

Mason said the case is a "misunderstanding," and that the two women have asked for the charges against Furman to be dismissed. They prepared a statement to that effect and took it to the police, but were referred to the prosecutor's office, then victim's rights, which never got back to them.

The statement will be read once the trial begins, Mason said.

"Joshua didn't do anything," Mason said. "He's got one guy sending him threatening text messages, and then when he gets upset about the nasty text messages, somebody else pulls his hair out, and then the poor bastard gets arrested.

"My suspicion is (the women) will show up in court and make a record in court and say, 'Hey look, this guy didn't hit us, he didn't punch us, he didn't do anything,' and at that time the judge will have a little trial or entertain a motion to dismiss it.

"We're working through the case and hope the charges disappear, once cooler heads prevail."

Furman played in 12 games last season, mostly on special teams. He recorded 10 tackles and blocked one punt.

No timetable has been given for his return to the team.