Posted at 8:26 a.m., Wednesday, October 17, 2007
CFB: Penn St. player pleads not guilty to rape charges
Associated Press
BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Suspended Penn State tailback Austin Scott pleaded not guilty today and was ordered to stand trial on felony rape and sexual-assault charges.
At a preliminary hearing, Judge Daniel Hoffman also upheld several misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors withdrew two felony charges of aggravated indecent assault against the 22-year-old Scott because of a lack of evidence.
Scott, of Allentown, has called the encounter consensual.
The accuser, a fellow Penn State student, testified that she and Scott had met once before and had been text messaging each other before getting together at a bar. The rape allegedly occurred in the early morning hours on Oct. 5 at Scott's on-campus apartment.
Scott was suspended from the team on Oct. 5, and charged last week. Defense lawyer John Karoly said Scott will remain in school while he fights the charges.
