ASUO Vice President Eduardo Morales pleaded innocent to assault and criminal mischief charges in Eugene Municipal Court on Oct. 22, and he now faces a jury trial at an undetermined date and possible jail time if convicted.

According to Eugene Police Department reports, Morales allegedly assaulted University senior Erica Hass between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Sept. 12 outside Taylor’s Bar and Grill. Police said both Morales and Hass had been drinking but the level of intoxication for each party is unknown.
City Prosecutor Dan Barkovic said the case will be set for trial and handled like every other case, adding that the only reason a trial would not take place is if Morales or his lawyer came to an agreement with the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Police began investigating the incident Sept. 12 after Hass called officers at 10:24 a.m. to report the alleged assault. Officer Demian San Miguel responded to the call and filed the initial report. Officer Donnie Hollis investigated the claims and cited Morales on Oct. 8.
The Emerald was unable to obtain police reports of the incident because the case has not been closed, but EPD spokeswoman Kerry Delf read excerpts of the event to a reporter.
Hass told Miguel that she and Morales had a verbal argument inside of Taylor’s, and that both parties were asked to leave. Hass told Miguel that she saw Morales in a nearby alley as she walked away from the bar with friends.
Hass said in her statement to Miguel that Morales ran at her, yelling and screaming. Hass told Miguel that Morales pushed her to the ground with both hands before picking her up by her left ankle and dragging her on the ground for 15 to 20 feet.
Hass told Miguel that after dragging her, Morales picked up Hass’ cell phone and threw it on the ground, destroying it.
Morales confirmed with Hollis that he and Hass had a verbal altercation inside Taylor’s that resulted in the two being asked to leave.
Morales told Hollis that he did not push Hass to the ground, saying Hass instead fell over because she was drunk.
Morales also told Hollis that Hass threw her cell phone at him, and he threw it back at her, which resulted in its destruction.
According to police reports read by Delf, Hass had injuries consistent with her allegations, and Miguel noted bruises and lacerations on Hass’ hands and body.
In a statement dated Oct. 22 and received by the Emerald Oct. 28, ASUO acknowledged that “an officer of the organization has been cited by the Eugene Police Department for misdemeanor offenses that allegedly occurred.”
The statement also said the charges are being investigated to determine their “validity.”
ASUO spokeswoman Taraneh Foster acknowledged that ASUO was not conducting its own investigation but said the case is still being investigated “through the legal process,” though she would not elaborate.
“We at the ASUO consider this to be an ongoing investigation, and we cannot speak for EPD,” Foster said. “We have no more to say on the issue.”
Delf said the department is not continuing its inquiry even though the investigation will technically stay open until the case is adjudicated.
“From our end, the investigation is complete,” Delf said.
Morales had agreed to an interview with the Emerald on Tuesday, but instead ASUO President Maddy Melton arrived and issued ASUO’s statement.
Hass would not discuss the incident.
Vice President for Student Affairs Anne Leavitt would not comment on the repercussions of an innocent or guilty verdict, or on whether the University was taking any action through its code of conduct. Leavitt said she hopes people will remember that this is “an allegation against an individual, not an allegation against the University.”
Morales, who goes by Eddy rather than Eduardo, is a senior majoring in Spanish and planning, public policy and management.
Morales was cited under the Eugene City Code, which defines assault as an act where a person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes physical injury to another. A person commits the crime of criminal mischief in the second degree if the person, having no right to do so, intentionally or recklessly damages the property of another in an amount exceeding $100.
If found guilty of assault, Morales faces a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and/or 100 days in jail. If found guilty of criminal mischief in the second degree, Morales faces a maximum penalty of a $2,500 fine and/or 100 days in jail.