{"id":1251615,"date":"2024-05-29T19:29:40","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T19:29:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1251615"},"modified":"2024-06-04T11:24:24","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T11:24:24","slug":"scottie-scheffler-keen-to-move-on-from-us-pga-incident-after-charges-dropped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/scottie-scheffler-keen-to-move-on-from-us-pga-incident-after-charges-dropped\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottie Scheffler keen to move on after charges are dropped"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scottie Scheffler wants to move on after all criminal charges against him were dismissed on Wednesday to bring an extraordinary fortnight for the world number one to an end.<\/p>\n

Scheffler\u2019s bid to win the US PGA Championship was thrown into chaos on May 17 when he was arrested<\/span><\/a> ahead of his second round after he tried to drive into Valhalla Golf Club in heavy traffic, which had been caused by an unrelated accident in which a male pedestrian died.<\/p>\n

Masters champion Scheffler briefly spent time in jail before returning to the course to play his second round and had faced charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.<\/p>\n

Scheffler\u2019s lawyer Steve Romines insisted at the time that the charges against his client would \u201ceither be dropped or we\u2019ll go to trial\u201d, but the former has now occurred after Jefferson county attorney Mike O\u2019Connell tendered a motion of order to dismiss all charges at the Hall of Justice in Louisville.<\/p>\n

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\"Steve
Steve Romines, Scottie Scheffler\u2019s lawyer, addressed the media (Timothy D. Easley\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u201cAs I stated previously, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding,\u201d Scheffler later posted on his Instagram page.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hold no ill will towards Officer (Bryan) Gillis. I wish to put this incident behind me and move on, and I hope he will do the same. Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate the support during the past two weeks and want to again encourage everyone to remember the real tragedy of May 17. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with John Mills and his family, and I hope to personally offer my condolences now that his case is over. May John rest in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell told the court: \u201cBased upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr Scheffler.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Scheffler\u2019s characterisation that this was a \u2018big misunderstanding\u2019 is corroborated by the evidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr Scheffler.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, Mr Scheffler\u2019s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange and misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offences.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor these reasons, judge I now tender to the court a motion of order to dismiss all these charges in this case against Mr Scheffler with prejudice.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the police report at the time, Detective Gillis stopped Scheffler\u2019s car and \u201cattempted to give instructions\u201d to him.<\/p>\n

The report alleged Scheffler refused to comply and \u201caccelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground\u201d but there was no police bodycam footage after it had failed to be turned on.<\/p>\n

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\"Screen
Screen grab taken from the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections of Scheffler\u2019s mugshot (Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Scheffler proceeded to be arrested and detained by Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, but claimed it was all a \u201cbig misunderstanding\u201d upon his release, which allowed him to resume his participation in the US PGA Championship.<\/p>\n

While Scheffler carded a second-round 66, he had to settle for a tie of eighth place and finished seven shots off eventual winner Xander Schauffele.<\/p>\n

A statement by LMPD read: \u201cWe respect the county attorney\u2019s decision, and we respect the judicial process.<\/p>\n

\u201cLMPD will remain focused on our mission to serve the city of Louisville and mitigate violent crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cVideos and documents which were previously unreleased due to the judicial process will be made available, after appropriate redactions are made, via Louisville Metro Government\u2019s online portal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scheffler had been set to go back to Louisville on Monday for an arraignment and lawyer Romines confirmed his client had no intention of filing a lawsuit against LMPD.<\/p>\n

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\"Screen
Screen grab taken with permission from a video captured by ESPN\/Jeff Darlington of Scheffler\u2019s arrest (ESPN\/Jeff Darlington\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re pleased the case has been dismissed today, obviously was dismissed with prejudice,\u201d Romines said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were prepared to go forward and litigate this matter and we were also prepared to litigate the case civilly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is obvious he didn\u2019t do anything wrong and as I have said repeatedly, the more evidence that comes out, the more it shows that Scottie was a victim here.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I think everybody sees something like this happen and realises they are one wrong turn or running into the wrong person away from going to jail themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are absolutely grounds for a lawsuit but he doesn\u2019t want to be involved because who pays? The taxpayers of Louisville.<\/p>\n

\u201cScottie Scheffler doesn\u2019t want the taxpayers of Louisville to pay.<\/a> He wishes to move forward from this case.\u201d<\/p>\n