Austin Scott's Preliminary Hearing

The CDT reports that Austin Scott appeared before a judge today for his Preliminary Hearing. (A preliminary hearing is where a judge or magistrate makes a determination of whether or not there is probable cause to believe that these crimes were committed by the accused). Here, the judge dismissed two counts of aggravated indecent assault (whatever that means) but bound him over on charges of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault and simple assault over for trial in Centre County court.



I LOOK GOOOOOOOOOD!

This is more bad news than good news for Scott. Sure, he got two lesser charges dismissed but he is still facing two very serious charges and two lesser charges. The victim appeared and testified before the Court as to what happend.

According to the prosecution, the woman accompanied Scott back to his apartment early that morning, but told him she did not intend to have sex. She said she fell asleep at the apartment and awoke to find him on top of her. She testified that she when she sat up and told him no, he punched her in the kidneys.

After that, she said, she was afraid and in shock and did as she was told.

“She told him no, she told him to stop, she told him you’re hurting me,” Assistant District Attorney Lance Marshall said.

The prosecution pointed to evidence of bruises found on the woman, including in the kidney area.

Of course, Scott's defense attorney had his own sound bites both to the court and the media. Observe!

“It is clear here that this is every man’s nightmare,” he said.

Karoly said the "scurrilous" accusation should never have led to criminal charges.

“I’m suggesting that if Mr. Scott is not, or was not, who he is, he would not have been charged,” Karoly said.

Following the hearing, Karoly fielded questions from the media, and said that while he would never presume to tell Coach Joe Paterno what to do, he said he hoped he would consider allowing Scott to return to the team until the charges are resolved.

“He should be allowed to return to the team," Karoly said. "The team needs him.” For more information from today's hearing, check back later at CentreDaily.com or see tomorrow's Centre Daily Times.

What is funny is that, clearly, the team does not need him and is actually playing better without him. Really, this is just another step in the process towards trial, this case is not going anywhere and the odds of Scott returning to the team are only slightly better than the earth being destroyed by a meteor.

Oh, Snap!


GO STATE! FOCUS ON INDIANA!