LOUISVILLE, Ky. (NewsNation) — A hearing is scheduled Wednesday to address the criminal case against Scottie Scheffler, 12 days after the world’s top golfer was arrested while trying to drive around the scene of a fatal crash on his way to the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell will address the court at 1 p.m. ET, according to a statement from his office. Scheffler isn’t required to attend the hearing; his attorney will be present on his behalf.
Scheffler’s attorney has stated that he will not settle this case with a plea deal and will take it to trial if needed.
The 27-year-old golfer’s arraignment is set for June 3.
What charges does Scheffler face?
Scheffler was arrested in the early morning of May 17 for allegedly injuring a Louisville Metro Police Department officer with his car outside of Valhalla Golf Club.
Scheffler allegedly attempted to drive around a crash scene and drove on a median with the misunderstanding he was being directed that way. The police officer allegedly instructed Scheffler to stop, but Scheffler continued about 10 to 20 yards toward the club’s entrance, according to police.
The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, attempted to “attach” himself to Scheffler’s car, prompting the golfer to stop his vehicle just short of the golf club’s entrance, police said. The officer yelled at Scheffler to remove himself from the vehicle. When he did, the officer reportedly shoved Scheffler against his car and placed him in handcuffs.
According to the police report, Gillis attempted to stop Scheffler but was allegedly “dragged” by the golfer’s vehicle and hospitalized. Gillis received medical treatment for pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. The police report also said that Gillis’ “uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were “damaged beyond repair.” Conflicting reports claim the officer attached himself to Scheffler’s car in an effort to stop him from driving forward.
Scheffler faces four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer, which carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison.
Arresting officer’s body camera wasn’t on
Gillis did not activate his body camera at the time of Scheffler’s arrest, which LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said was against the department’s policy. She added that Gillis was counseled by his supervisor for violating the policy.
Last Thursday, LMPD released footage from arrest that was captured by a fixed pole camera and the dash cam of a police car.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said at a news conference that any additional video or evidence related to the case will not be released until the conclusion of the legal process, per a request from the local prosecutor handling the case.
Scheffler has called the incident a “big misunderstanding.”
NewsNation investigative reporter Natasha Zouves and digital producers Taylor Delandro, Devan Markham and Jeff Arnold contributed to this report.
