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USC QB Mark Sanchez arrested for sexual assault (split and merged)

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<TABLE width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleDate>Article Launched: 05/18/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- overline--><!--title-->Sources: Case against Sanchez weak
<!--subtitle-->District attorney postpones arraignment to request additional time to investigate
<!--top author info--><TABLE width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleByline><!-- overline-->BY SCOTT WOLF, Staff Writer</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=articleBody width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleBody align=left colSpan=3>
The sexual-assault case against USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is considered weak, according to sources close to the investigation.
The district attorney's office postponed Wednesday's scheduled arraignment hearing and requested another week to investigate the case. But according to sources, the district attorney's investigation is proving favorable toward Sanchez although no final decision has been made by prosecutors.
"I think it's obvious they don't have enough to file charges right now," said a source familiar with the case.
The district attorney's office received the case from the Los Angeles Police Department two weeks ago, sources said, and remains skeptical about the charges.
But the fact Wednesday's hearing was delayed should not be interpreted as a sign of the case's merits, according to the district attorney's office.
"It doesn't mean anything about anything," spokesperson Jane Robison said. "We have further investigating."
Sanchez's attorney, Leonard Levine, chose not to answer any questions about the specific nature of the case.
"I don't want to comment on the strengths or weaknesses," Levine said.
But Levine is pleased no charges have been filed.
"They need additional time and we've encouraged them to take as much time as possible," he said. "We're confident Mark will be exonerated."
Witness testimony also seems to favor Sanchez. Besides Sanchez and the alleged victim, there were three other students in the apartment, including Sanchez's roommate, linebacker Brian Cushing.
None of the three witnesses said they believed the victim was sexually assaulted, according to sources.
"I was in the area," said one of the witnesses, who is friends with Sanchez and the alleged victim. "I've heard both versions. Of course I don't believe Mark did it." The witnesses were all interviewed by law-enforcement authorities in the past two weeks. "It seems clear they have interviewed the people they needed to," a source said.

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Sanchez, 19, was arrested last month at his off-campus apartment on suspicion of sexual assault. He underwent DNA testing and had his body combed for hair samples, but he decided not to give any statements to police. He was released on $200,000 bail.

The bail amount was high, but legal sources said if there were two separate acts of assault, they could be considered two separate crimes, which would account for the $200,000 figure. It's not known if Sanchez is accused of two separate acts, however, because a police report has not been released to the public.

Sanchez is currently on "interim suspension" at USC, but it's a murky description because he was allowed to take final exams, although he did so in a separate room away from the other students in his classes.
Last week, Sanchez's case became political when the California chapter of the National Organization for Women accused USC and law enforcement of ignoring gender-based crimes at the school.
The letter also included an inflammatory passage that said, "alumni lawyers have cleared players of crimes, with help of friends in the DA's office."
That statement angered attorney Carmen Trutanich, who in the past two years represented USC football players Hershel Dennis, Eric Wright and Rey Maualuga.
"NOW's statement is almost patronizing," Trutanich said. "It's upsetting to me when someone attacks the judicial system and has absolutely no facts. "I would challenge them to come forward with the name of the alleged crony that was in contact with me. That's a libelous statement. Who was the friend that I contacted? I never spoke to anyone in the DA's office."
http://www.dailynews.com/usc/ci_3835252
 
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Last week, Sanchez's case became political when the California chapter of the National Organization for Women accused USC and law enforcement of ignoring gender-based crimes at the school.
The letter also included an inflammatory passage that said, "alumni lawyers have cleared players of crimes, with help of friends in the DA's office."
That statement angered attorney Carmen Trutanich, who in the past two years represented USC football players Hershel Dennis, Eric Wright and Rey Maualuga.
"NOW's statement is almost patronizing," Trutanich said. "It's upsetting to me when someone attacks the judicial system and has absolutely no facts. "I would challenge them to come forward with the name of the alleged crony that was in contact with me. That's a libelous statement. Who was the friend that I contacted? I never spoke to anyone in the DA's office."

These out-of-control organizations need to be held accountable for their irresponsible actions. I hope he does sue them.
 
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methomps said:
The incident happened right before finals. Are you saying it would've been fair to have him miss finals, fail all of his classes, and be ineligible? Regular students have been afforded the same accomodations.
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No problem if it is the same treatment other students are afforded. Is MS suspended (not interim) once the semester ends and not allowed to take summer classes?
 
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It really doesn't sound like there is anything to this. I would hope they would make this a somewhat speedy process so the kid doesn't have to miss any school time in the fall.

And the NOW crowd continue to make themselves look foolish. I hope that lawyer does sue them for that statement.
 
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The incident happened right before finals. Are you saying it would've been fair to have him miss finals, fail all of his classes, and be ineligible? Regular students have been afforded the same accomodations.
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I have no problem with it as long as every USC student would get the same treatment in similar situations. What is an "interim suspension"? or how does USC define the term?
 
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bucknuts44820 said:
I have no problem with it as long as every USC student would get the same treatment in similar situations. What is an "interim suspension"? or how does USC define the term?
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USC Student Conduct Code And Sanctions

11.83 Interim Suspension/Action: The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee may initiate interim suspension or action against a student or organization pending disciplinary proceedings whenever there is evidence that the student or organization poses a substantial threat to the safety or well-being of members of the university community, to property within the university community or when a student or organization poses a continuing threat of disruption or interference to normal university life or functions. A student or organization subject to interim suspension or action will be given prompt written notice of the charges and the opportunity for a review within 15 days of the notice, unless a later date shall be mutually agreed upon by the accused student or organization and the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards.
A. Interim Suspension: Exclusion from all classes, seminars and programs; prohibition of participation in university-sponsored activities and exclusion from university premises.
B. Interim Action: Includes, but is not limited to, exclusion from university housing or a specified portion thereof, or from other specified activities or areas of the campus as set forth in the written notice of Interim Action.

See entire USC Student Conduct Code and Sanctions:

http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/nonacademicreview.html
 
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A. Interim Suspension: Exclusion from all classes, seminars and programs; prohibition of participation in university-sponsored activities and exclusion from university premises.
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Unless I am reading this wrong and thats a possiblity with my limited education....I believe Sanchez was given a break and the fact he took his exams is against USC Student Conduct Code and Sanctions. Am I wrong?

Is their exceptions to the rule?
 
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From an NCAA ruling I have no idea if exceptions are allowed, although this is fairly common. I've known plenty of students that receive 'odd suspensions' espically late into the term. I think his punishment is very fair, until proven guilty.
 
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One hopes for MS's sake, and, for the sake of the alleged victim, that forensic evidence was properly collected. If so, it seems DNA matter could decide the issue, especially if it is a "She said, he said" incident. Rape is one of those crimes that begs for physical evidence or lack thereof: e.g.,body fluids, hair samples, fingernail collections. If the crime never occured, the male gets the shaft; if there was a crime, the female takes it in the chops.

Although not permitted to be entered as evidence, I wonder if either the male or female here has volunteered for and taken a polygraph?
 
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bucknuts44820 said:
Unless I am reading this wrong and thats a possiblity with my limited education....I believe Sanchez was given a break and the fact he took his exams is against USC Student Conduct Code and Sanctions. Am I wrong?

Is their exceptions to the rule?
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That it contradicts the written rules is not per se improper. It depends on whether regular students are afforded the same accomodations.

I had a teacher (and perhaps several) who stated very clearly on the syllabus that late assignments are, without exception, not accepted. Assignments were accepted late and without penalty*.

I don't know of any specific cases of students being placed on interim suspension, so I can't say whether accomodations are made for finals week. However, I find it hard to believe that the school would be so cold as to wreck a student's entire semester work simply on the basis of an accusation the week before finals.

*Or so I observed. I never was late with any of my assignments. :biggrin: Honest.
 
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Wasn;t one of the issues surrounding the MoC academic allegations that he was given an opportunity to retake an exam after walking out in the middle of the initial exam? That certainly smacked of special treatment IIRC.

One hopes for MS's sake, and, for the sake of the alleged victim, that forensic evidence was properly collected. If so, it seems DNA matter could decide the issue, especially if it is a "She said, he said" incident. Rape is one of those crimes that begs for physical evidence or lack thereof: e.g.,body fluids, hair samples, fingernail collections. If the crime never occured, the male gets the shaft; if there was a crime, the female takes it in the chops.
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Don't know the details here, but frequently rape is a consent issue where exchange of fluids is acknowledged and te 'he said - she said" becomes a matter of what she said.

he was allowed to take final exams, although he did so in a separate room away from the other students in his classes.
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Why the separate room? Were they afraid he would assault someone dring the exam?
 
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