The felony conviction preventing junior college standout Rodney Woods from accepting a University athletic scholarship was reduced to a misdemeanor in a California court Friday, ending an emotionally charged legal battle and setting the stage for an addition to the Ducks’ defensive secondary.
“I’m pleased that Rodney Woods will get a chance,” football head coach Mike Bellotti said. “I’m more pleased for him than anybody else.”
University President Dave Frohnmayer, who said in February that he would have liked to have been included in discussions with the Athletic Department about the recruitment of Woods, declined to comment on the decision.
Friday’s verdict marked the end of a five-week saga that pitted serious ethical dilemmas on opposing sides. Athletic Director Bill Moos announced earlier this year that the University would not offer athletic scholarships to felons, prompting Woods and his lawyer to ask that Woods’ conviction be reduced to a lesser offense.
Neither the University nor the Athletic Department ever asked the court to consider the request, although Bellotti and defensive coordinator Nick Allioti wrote letters asking for an expeditious decision. These actions, and a lack of discretion by University administrators, propelled some to criticize the University and its program.
Bellotti said the entire situation was challenging, but he added the need to adhere to Moos’ policy of not accepting felons.
“I think (Woods) definitely deserves another opportunity, but at the same time, we have to draw the line somewhere,” Bellotti said.
Woods was convicted of assaulting Kevin Walker on May 19, 2000, while two of Woods’ friends fatally injured another man, Christopher O’Leary. According to several reports, Woods initially confronted O’Leary but did not take part in the beating. When Walker tried to break up the melee, however, he too was assaulted.
Woods pleaded no contest to assault charges against Walker, and he later had murder and assault charges in O’Leary’s death dropped. Woods spent almost nine months in jail and was sentenced to five years probation, about half of which has been served.
On Friday, a Lancaster, Calif., judge reduced Woods’ conviction in a hearing that lasted a little more than an hour.
James E. Blatt, Woods’ lawyer, pleaded that his client be given a second chance and argued that his client had made significant progress since his release.
“Frankly, I didn’t know which way it was going to go until the judge ruled,” Blatt said.
Blatt, who has known Woods for more than three years, said he believed the judge looked at all the circumstances before making a decision. Since being released from jail, Blatt said, Woods has acted in a socially acceptable way, has not violated his parole and has placed an importance on higher education.
“His actions spoke volumes,” Blatt said.
As part of the agreement, Woods must take 26 anger management classes and will remain on the terms of his probation from the felony conviction. Woods could go back to jail if he violates the terms of his probation, even though, legally, the stipulations stem from a crime of which he is no longer convicted.
“I’m very confident that he’ll do very well (in Oregon), both academically and athletically,” Blatt said.
But others don’t believe Woods’ conviction should have been
reduced.
Crime Victims United, a group from Lake Oswego that works to ensure victims’ rights, sent a letter to Woods’ hearing urging the judge to let the conviction stand.
“I think some people, with all due respect, are missing the big picture,” said Steve Doell, president of the group.
Doell said reducing the conviction amounts to the justice system reneging on promises made to the family of the victim. Doell added that members of his group would not have been angered if a felon played for the Ducks, but were adamantly against altering a conviction.
Doell, a graduate of Gonzaga University, said the University is his “adopted school,” and added that he has been to many Duck games. But after the judge’s ruling, Doell said things have changed.
“As long as President Frohnmayer and coach Bellotti are there, I will never step a foot in that stadium,” Doell said.
Woods has not yet been admitted to the University, but Bellotti said that if Woods meets academic requirements, the football player should arrive in Eugene for spring term.
Bellotti said he hopes people will give Woods, who is expected to compete for a starting spot in the defensive secondary, a fresh start at the University.
“Certainly, he’s going to have to earn people’s respect,” Bellotti said. “And I think he’s willing to do that.”