When Sean Villery-Samuel first met with Deionte Thompson and his family in April, he asked Thompson's parents to leave the room so he could talk to Deionte privately.
He wanted the Alabama safety to speak openly and honestly about the large spring break fight in Crystal Beach, Texas during which Thompson and three others allegedly assaulted 18-year old Noah Frillou.
What Thompson said was the same thing he's told people inside the Alabama program ever since he was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault.
"He told me that he wasn't involved and that it was really a surprise to him when all of this came up," said Villery-Samuel, Thompson's Texas-based lawyer.