August 9, 2007
DA Will Not Charge Eric Scott In Burglary Arrest
Update: Dohn reports that sources say “Eric Scott is expected to be reinstated.” Just as we expected, Scott will be on the sidelines in no time … and no one will come forward admitting they made an error in his hiring. The so-called breakdown in handling his background check will be swept under the rug. Now just about any 5-time arrestee and 3-time convict, with recent arrests and convictions, can become a UCLA coach - if they come with highly rated recruits. Nice. So much for Character and Integrity. Can’t waive that flag anymore.
Looks like the situation with Scott’s arrest has turned out for the better, the DA will not charge him. We are happy for Eric Scott, hopefully he can use better judgment to get himself away from bad crowds and bad situations. 5 arrests and 3 convictions just is not good. As for whether he should come back … we think he shouldn’t. Not until UCLA tells us the real story on his application and has a good explanation for the mistakes in handling his hiring. Also, Scott will be called as a witness in his friend, Jesus DeAlba (the guy he got into college who then got expelled for burglarizing several dorm rooms and a football facility), who has a continuing case of having a concealed weapon at the scene. What will Scott do?
Citing victims and witnesses either unavailable or who have declined to testify, the Los Angeles County District Attorney on Thursday announced it would not file charges against UCLA assistant football coach Eric Scott in connection with a residential burglary in Norwalk on July 24.
Det. Rick Broussard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s lead investigator on the case, said a 911 caller reported seeing three men forcibly enter the home but that authorities had not been able to re-establish contact with that witness.
He added that it could not be proven that Scott, 32, ever entered a home where deputies later found rifles, shotguns and “a large quantity” of marijuana.
