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!

Austin Scott UPDATE

The Collegian has snippets of the court paperwork which lays out what this case will consist of.

According to court documents, the victim said to Scott on the walk to campus, "just so you know, I'm not going to have sex with you."

"Do you want me to call you a taxi now?" Scott said, according to court documents. The victim replied that she just wanted him to respect her wishes.

"If I can't have sex with you, can I at least cop a feel?" he asked, the criminal complaint reads. The victim declined.

If true this smacks of a desperation one would not expect to see in the starting running back at a big time football school.

The two entered Scott's apartment and proceeded to watch television from his bed. The victim reported she fell asleep fully clothed and on top of the bed comforter, but soon awoke to find her jeans removed and Scott attempting to have sex with her.

She tried to sit up, but felt a punch in her right kidney, according to court documents. The victim told police she "went along with it because she was afraid [Scott] was going to hurt her."

Throughout the intercourse, the victim said she told Scott multiple times he was hurting her, according to court documents.

That is just peculiar. Ooh she's asleep, now is my chance!

In fairness, Scott's side of the story is that the encounter was completely consensual and actually ended quite well.

When she left Scott's apartment, they "embraced and kissed goodbye," he said in the press release.

So that is what we're going to be hearing about for the next 6-12 months. Great.

GO STATE! BEAT WISCONSIN!

Off-Field Problems Continue

Everybody feels better after the win against Iowa, however, problems continue off the field for the Nittany Lions. The Centre Daily Times is reporting that two players were cited for underage drinking over the weekend. Apparently, Joseph Suhey and Ryan Breen were both cited for underage drinking in separate incidents this weekend. Both are true freshman and both have never played.

This is, of course, still an incredibly petty offense. However, in the current climate surrounding the team as well of questions regarding team discipline being center stage this year the repercussions could be severe.

The latest update on the alleged involvement of a football player in a sexual assault is only that the investigation continues. The only real news is that the suspect was a "starter on offense". Clearly, you don't want to jump the gun but Scott was dismissed nearly simultaneously with this news breaking. All I'm saying is that it would be a very big coincidence. WJAC-TV has the story, as does The Collegian.

GO STATE! BEAT WISCONSIN!

Austin Scott UPDATE!

What started out as two seemingly unconnected reports are starting to be linked. The Daily Collegian is reporting on a sexual assault on campus. There were also several rumors going around that Austin Scott was kicked off the team. Now, WJAC-TV is reporting that Scott's locker has been cleared out AND that it was a PSU football player who was being ID'd by the victim.

It is clear that Scott will not play today and possibly will never be back in the Blue & White again. I think Kinlaw and Royster will simply each get more carries and that will be the end of the impact on the team.

Beyond what happens on the field what the fuck is going on in Happy Valley? Fights, Felony Charges, Trials, now the specter of a sexual assault looming over the program. This is not what I expect and demand as an alumni.

GO STATE! BEAT IOWA!