BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -Prosecutors dropped charges against one of six Penn State football players involved in an off-campus fracas, but pursued their case against the five others at a preliminary hearing Friday.
Starting cornerback Justin King had been charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and harassment, but prosecutors said they were dropping him from the case because of a lack of evidence.
All six players were in court Friday for a hearing over their roles in the April 1 fight at an apartment that sent two people to the hospital. In morning testimony, two of the apartment’s tenants said King was inside but not a participant in the melee.
King’s attorney, Ron McGlaughlin, said outside court that his client was trying to keep the peace and pull people out of the fracas.
Police said starting safety Anthony Scirrotto and his girlfriend got into a fight March 31 with three men on a State College street and followed them to the apartment building. Scirrotto then called a teammate and met with a group of players who also arrived at the party, police said.
Scirrotto and teammate Chris Baker face the most serious charges, including one count each of burglary and criminal trespass, both felonies. Each also faces a count of simple assault and harassment. Facing one count each of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and harassment are three reserves, linebackers Jerome Hayes and Tyrell Sales and defensive back Lydell Sargeant.
Add A Comment