Scottie Scheffler welcomed the decision and said he “bears no ill will” toward the arresting officers. “Police officers have a difficult job but I have high regard for them,” he wrote on social media.
Wednesday 29 May 2024 20:15 UK
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested during the PGA Championship in the United States earlier this month, but criminal charges against him have now been dropped.
Scheffler, 27, was facing four charges, including assaulting a police officer with a vehicle. What happened Just hours before teeing off on Day 2 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell today asked the judge to dismiss the charges, saying his team reviewed the case “thoroughly and expeditiously.”
During a hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes, he said: “Considering the totality of the evidence, my office cannot proceed with prosecuting the charges against Mr. Scheffler.”
“Mr Scheffler’s assertion that this was a ‘major misunderstanding’ is supported by the evidence.”
Scheffler did not have to appear in court for the hearing, but welcomed the verdict in a post on his Instagram Story.
His arrest followed an encounter with police officers directing traffic following a fatal pedestrian crash on May 17 near Valhalla Golf Club.
Golfer arrested by police
Detective Brian Gillis alleged that Scheffler, who was driving a PGA courtesy car, “refused to comply with a request to stop, accelerated and dragged Mr Scheffler to the ground.”
Surveillance footage released by Louisville police last week showed officers pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot before preventing him from entering the track, pulling him from the car and handcuffing him.
Authorities said the video did not show Gillis’ initial contact with Scheffler.
The detective He was reprimanded for not turning on his body-worn camera. During the arrest.
More from Sky News:
Roy Keane in ‘shock’ after alleged headbutt
Rayner cleared by HMRC after house sale claim
Prosecutor O’Connell told the judge today: “The evidence we have reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned about public safety at the scene when he made contact with Mr Scheffler.”
“However, the evidence regarding Mr. Scheffler’s conduct and interactions during this misunderstanding does not meet the requirements for any criminal offence.”
Asked for comment, Scheffler’s lawyer, Steve Romines, responded, “Your Honor, it took me a long time to understand that when you’re winning, you don’t say anything. So, I have nothing to say, Your Honor.”
The judge then granted the motion to dismiss the case.
Scottie Schaeffler reacts to charges being dropped
Scheffler has always maintained the case was a “great understanding,” and he reiterated this in social media posts following the judge’s ruling.
He posted on his Instagram Story: “As I’ve stated before, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I bear no ill will towards Officer Gillis.”
“I would like to put this incident behind me and move on and I hope he does too. Police officers have a difficult job but I have a lot of respect for them. This was a serious miscommunication in a chaotic situation.”
The golfer also thanked fans for their support over the past two weeks and asked everyone to “remember the true tragedy of May 17th” before paying tribute to the pedestrians who lost their lives.
“My thoughts and prayers are with John Mills and his family and I would like to personally offer my condolences now that this incident has concluded,” he wrote. May John rest in peace.
Just hours after being arrested by police and spending a short time in jail, Scheffler teed off in the second round at Valhalla to be greeted by cheering crowds chanting his name.
Scheffler was the favorite to win at the start of the tournament but finished in a tie for eighth place.