Scottie Scheffler is due in court on June 3 after Louisville police gave no indication that four charges against the world’s No. 1 golfer will be dropped.
Scheffler was arrested in the early hours of last Friday (May 17) before his second round at the PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky.
Shocking images showed golf’s world number one handcuffed before being taken to jail for failing to follow police orders during an investigation into the death of a pedestrian.
Police held a news conference Thursday, along with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. There was speculation that the charges would be dropped or even reduced.
Instead, however, officials promised to “respect the legal process” and “let it play out,” and Scheffler will be arraigned in court next month on the following charges:
A mugshot of world number one Scottie Scheffler following his arrest by Louisville police last Friday.
Kentucky Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel spoke at a brief news conference.
- Second-degree assault on a police officer, a felony
- Criminal mischief in the third degree
- Ignoring traffic signals from an officer directing traffic
In Kentucky, second-degree assault is a class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
“We all look forward to moving forward,” Mayor Greenberg said. ‘But we have to respect the legal process. And that’s what we’re going to do. “We’re going to let that happen.”
During the press conference, Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel revealed that Detective Bryan Gillis did not turn on his body-worn camera, a violation of police policy.
Officials also released two new videos of the moment Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested. They said Thursday that they are not aware of any recording of the initial interaction between the golf star and police.
In stunning footage the two-time Masters winner is seen being led to a police car.
One video came from a fixed pole camera on Shelbyville Road, while the second came from a police car’s dashboard camera.
Post camera footage shows the moment Scheffler was stopped by a police officer who appeared to hit his car while trying to enter Valhalla, which apparently came after his interaction with Gillis.
The two-time Masters champion can then be seen exiting the vehicle and being led away in handcuffs after the incident.
In the dash cam footage, which runs for more than 55 minutes, you cannot make out the moment that led to Scheffler’s arrest as other vehicles block the view, but at one point police are seen taking him away in handcuffs.
Authorities also released a “body camera recording glitch,” detailing Detective Gillis’ testimony.
“While directing traffic in front of Gate 1, PGA staff prevented a bus from entering Gate 1,” Gillis wrote.
‘I observed a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane and coming towards me. I stopped the driver and told him I couldn’t continue because of the bus. (Scheffler) demanded to be let in and continued ahead against my instructions. The driver dragged/hit me. I then proceeded to arrest the driver.
Police said Scheffler did not comply with instructions and walked away from Officer Gillis.
After the brief press conference, in which neither the mayor nor police responded to media questions, Scheffler’s attorney issued a scathing statement.
‘(This) will not affect my case at all. Our position is the same as last Friday. “Scottie Scheffler did nothing wrong, we are not interested in solving the case, we will either try it or it will be dismissed,” he stated.
‘It is very simple. All the evidence that continues to emerge continues to support what Scottie said all along: this was a chaotic situation and a miscommunication and he did nothing wrong.
‘We are prepared to litigate the case if necessary. If it’s not necessary, that’s fine, but our position remains the same: either dismiss it or go to trial…we’ll let the process play out.
He added: “My role is to represent Scottie Scheffler and that’s what I will continue to do.” Nothing has changed since my comment last week: he did nothing wrong. We will go to trial or the case will be dismissed. We have no interest in resolving the case, there are no discussions about it. We are prepared to litigate as necessary.
Romines was aware of the video that was later released on Thursday. ‘I’ve seen everything there is to see. Everything in there backs up exactly what Scottie has said all along.”
Scheffler will return to PGA Tour action at the Charles Schwab Classic on Thursday
The 27-year-old was charged with failing to stop for police while trying to enter a traffic stop following a fatal collision between a bus and a member of tournament security staff, John Mills.
The police report said Scheffler failed to comply with instructions and then walked away from an officer, Bryan Gillis, causing him to be dragged by the two-time Masters winner’s car.
The Louisville Metro Police Department said Scheffler was charged with four counts. He was scheduled to be arraigned in a Louisville court on Tuesday, but that appearance was rescheduled for June 3.
Scheffler issued a statement upon his release from jail that said: “This morning I proceeded as directed by police officers.
‘It was a very chaotic situation, understandably given the tragic accident that had happened earlier, and there was a huge misunderstanding about what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to ignore any of the instructions. I’m hoping to put this aside and focus on golf today.
“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in the accident this morning. It really puts everything into perspective.”
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow @Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.