Scottie Scheffler could face serious consequences after the events of early Friday morning at the 2024 PGA Championship. The world number one got into an altercation with police in the wake of the traffic chaos following the fatal road traffic accident at the gates of Valhalla Golf Club, where a member of the security team was killed. Scheffler wanted to avoid the traffic jam in front of the course and therefore pulled into the free lane next to him about a mile before the course. According to his own statement, this was followed by a misunderstanding of the officer’s instructions and the subsequent arrest of the tour star. Bryan Gillis, the Louisville Metro Police detective involved in the incident, later stated that Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging (him) to the ground.”
What charges await Scottie Scheffler after his arrest?
Although Scheffler was released on bail in time for the start of his second round, prosecutors are now filing four charges against the Texan. Scheffler is charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disobeying traffic signals of a traffic control officer. The first charge is a felony, the other charges are misdemeanours.
Scottie’s charges: assaulting a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals.
Absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/9CKrGBJNsa — Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) May 17, 2024
His lawyer Steve Romines has now commented on the next steps in an interview with Golf.com. The arraignment before a judge is scheduled for Tuesday and will initially decide whether the case goes to trial or the charges are dropped. At this first hearing, according to his lawyer, they will plead not guilty and if the judge decides in favour of charges, the case will go to trial.
If Scheffler is convicted, he could face between five and ten years in prison for “second-degree assault on a police officer”. However, it must be proven that Scheffler intentionally caused serious injury to another person or acted wilfully. In the meantime, Romines said his team will continue to gather evidence, eyewitnesses and video footage from the officers’ body cams.
In closing, Scheffler’s attorney said, according to Golf.com, “Scottie did not intentionally do anything wrong. He was doing exactly what they told him to do.”