The girlfriend of Felix Qu, the Wharton junior who was arrested for simple assault over winter break, has contacted police expressing interest in retracting some parts of her statement.
Qu, 20, was arrested on Dec. 21 after his girlfriend called the police claiming that an argument between the two turned violent.
Yesterday, Qu's girlfriend - an 18-year-old woman who is not affiliated with the University - contacted police about retracting part of her statement, according to Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police.
"That usually happens with domestic situations," Walker said of the request to retract part of the statement. However, Qu's girlfriend has not yet officially retracted or amended her statement. The girlfriend was brought in to the police station the night of the incident. She then made an official statement that is now on police record. In order to retract parts of her statement, she must meet with the appropriate official on Saturday, Walker said.
Walker said he told Qu's girlfriend about the available option to make an appointment, but she took no steps to do so.
Qu's girlfriend, who requested that her name not be used, said she was told the detective who interviewed her would not be available until Saturday, and she plans to contact that detective's supervisor today in order to try to retract her statement. "It was all an accident," the girlfriend said. "I just freaked out and called the cops."
According to Qu's girlfriend, an argument occurred in Qu's apartment, located at 3928 Pine St., the morning of Dec. 22. The girlfriend said she initiated violence by throwing items at Qu and hitting him with a towel.
Qu attempted to take the towel from his girlfriend, she said. In the process, the girlfriend said, Qu's hand accidently got caught on her shirt and in her hair, and he hit her in the chin.
Walker said that, according to the girlfriend's initial police statement, Qu allegedly grabbed his girlfriend by her shirt, pushed her onto the bed, pulled her hair and punched her in the face. Yesterday, Qu's girlfriend said that that account was not accurate and not what she told police.
"He has never been abusive," the girlfriend said of Qu.
Qu's girlfriend said she has been in contact with both police and Penn's Office of Student Conduct to clarify the situation.
Qu has been released from custody on $1,500 bail.
He is currently enrolled in classes for the spring semester at Penn.
Qu declined to comment on the case yesterday.
City News Editor-elect Emily Babay contributed reporting to this article.
