LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After an unusual and contentious court hearing Monday morning, a judge overruled County Attorney Mike O'Connell and allowed a delay in the arraignment of world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler on felony assault of a police officer and other charges from Tuesday to June 3.
Attorney Steve Romines, who is representing Scheffler, said he had scheduling issues requiring the delay. Scheffler is expected to have to attend the arraignment because he is charged with a felony.
In a rare personal appearance during an arraignment scheduling matter, O'Connell vigorously objected to the two-week delay, according to video of the impromptu court hearing obtained by WDRB News.Â
"This man should be treated like everyone else in this matter," O'Connell told Jefferson District Court Judge Anne Delahanty.
Delahanty appeared puzzled by O'Connell's stance. The judge asked how it would prejudice prosecutors to delay the arraignment, saying at one point, "maybe I'm confused ..."
Romines shot back: "No, (O'Connell) is (confused) judge."Â
"If we haven't resolved the case by June 3, (Scheffler) will be here with me in court," Romines said.
O'Connell said, "Well, I object. I think we need to get the arraignment done."Â
"I simply think that is how the matter should be processed," O'Connell said. "He left last night and returned home to Dallas. ... Respectfully the commonwealth does not think that this is appropriate" to delay.
Romines, who at times sounded exasperated, maintained that arraignments and court hearings are delayed all the time. Denying it for Scheffler, he said, would mean treating him differently than other defendants.Â
"They have no basis for it," Romines told the judge.Â
Delahanty ruled that a delay was acceptable given the initial arraignment date was scheduled before Romines could check his schedule.Â
The judge also ruled that Scheffler would have to be present for the arraignment, which is generally required in a felony case.Â
If both sides agreed to waive that requirement, Delahanty said she would make a ruling.Â
O'Connell said during the hearing that his office has talked with Romines about the case and "the underlying facts that may or may not be in dispute."Â
Scheffler was handcuffed Friday morning and charged with felony assault of a police officer at Valhalla Golf Club after allegedly refusing to stop near the scene of a fatal crash at the course entrance.
Attorney Steve Romines, who is representing Scheffler, said he had scheduling issues requiring the delay.
Romines said one police officer directed Scheffler to go around and into the facility, but the arresting officer was unaware and stopped the golfer.
Louisville Metro Police accused Scheffler of refusing to comply with orders from Detective Bryan Gillis, accelerating forward and dragging Gillis to the ground.
The officer was taken to the hospital with pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.
But witnesses said Gillis tried to grab onto Scheffler’s vehicle as he slowly moved forward, and Louisville Metro Police and the mayor have said there isn't body camera footage of the initial incident.Â
"The officer did not have a bodycam footage turned on during the incident," Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. "We did not have any ... to my knowledge. We have not discovered any video of the initial contact between officer Gillis and Mr. Scheffler."
LMPD has said the incident is under review.Â
Scheffler, who said it was a "chaotic situation and a big misunderstanding," was scheduled to appear in Jefferson District Court on May 21.
In an arrest report, police claim Scheffler was driving “eastbound to gain access to the course" at Valhalla Gate 1 when he pulled into a westbound lane "where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid backed up traffic."
Gillis was "in full LMPD uniform and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket" when he stopped Scheffler and "attempted to give instructions", according to the report.Â
Romines has repeatedly said Scheffler did nothing wrong.
"He was trying to get into the facility when he was arrested," Romines has said. "Scottie didn't know what was going on."
Related Stories:
- Louisville police say there isn't body cam footage from initial incident with Scottie Scheffler outside Valhalla
- Scottie Scheffler recounts 'chaotic' morning in jail before shooting 66 at PGA Championship
- World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler charged with felony assault of police at accident scene outside Valhalla
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