Several developments in the criminal cases of two Oregon football players and one former player came to light yesterday.
Last month, Oregon running back LaMichael James was arrested on domestic violence charges, and he is expected to change his not guilty plea later this week.
Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and former wide receiver Garrett Embry were charged with burglary in the second degree yesterday, following allegations in late January that the two stole property from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. The alleged crimes were reported to police, but officers made no arrests at the time.
In a statement released Wednesday night, head coach Chip Kelly said he was “carefully considering the latest news” concerning Masoli and James, and that on Friday he will “make a decision regarding disciplinary action.”
LaMichael James
James will return to court on Friday to change his plea in regards to accusations of domestic violence.
The hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 305 at the Lane County Circuit Court.
James, 20, originally pleaded not guilty to five misdemeanor charges, including two counts of fourth-degree assault and two counts of physical harassment. There have been no confirmations as to how James will change his plea, though The Oregonian reports that he may plead no contest.
A no-contest plea could be one component of an agreement that settles the matter sooner, and allows James to return to campus for school and athletics. In this scenario, according to The Oregonian, James would likely be sentenced to anger management classes and “other punishments.”
James’ troubles began when Springfield police arrested him on Feb. 17. According to a 22-year-old woman who says she is his girlfriend, James pushed her down by the neck outside of his apartment. The incident allegedly occurred on the night of Feb. 15, but it was not reported until the next day.
Kelly has repeated to the media that he would not take any action against James until he “gathers all the facts,” but that may change if James alters his plea.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso has already been suspended for the 2010 season after a DUII citation, while defensive end Matt Simms was permanently removed from the team after breaking undisclosed team rules.
Jeremiah Masoli
Masoli and Embry were charged with second-degree burglary on Wednesday.
Both players will appear at Lane County Circuit Court on Friday morning in courtroom 305.
The Lane County District Attorney’s office declined any further comment on Wednesday. The University athletic department also declined to comment.
The charges stem from previous accusations that Masoli and Embry stole laptops and other valuable items from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity during a party on Jan. 24.
According to a report filed by fraternity member Max Wolfard, the laptops were worth $2,000 and $1,500, while the other missing item was a $900 guitar.
The incident was originally reported to the Emerald in two phone messages.
In one of the messages, sophomore SAE member Wayne Kohnke said, “Jeremiah Masoli and Garrett Embry just stole all my friend’s possessions … We need a story run on this. Do you understand?”
In the weeks following the alleged thefts, neither Masoli nor Embry was charged with any crime. Embry, however, was kicked off the team on Jan. 8 for violating rules. Kelly has not identified which rules Embry violated.
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