Scottie Scheffler Arrest Case to Take a U-Turn as Fresh Evidence Adds More Salt to Expected Legal Drama

Louisville Metro Police Department is planning to hold a press conference on Thursday. Previously, the chief, Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, promised an internal investigation into the Scottie Scheffler arrest case and said that an update would be given on May 23. “Any policy violations that are revealed through the course of the investigation will be appropriately addressed according to LMPD’s disciplinary protocol,” Gwinn-Villaroel said in an official statement.

Now CNN reports that the LMPD department will also release additional footage of the scuffle between Scheffler and Officer, Bryan Gillis. Reportedly, Detective Gillis didn’t have his body-cam turned on, or wasn’t wearing the gear. Previously, Louisville Mayor, Craig Greenberg, revealed that they were some additional footage available nearby fixed cameras.  It appears that the police have acquired that footage from a traffic pole camera.

However, it’s not known whether it catches the initial confrontation between the world no.1 and Detective Bryan Gillis. The initial report claimed that Scheffler refused to comply with his order, driving through a traffic blockade at 6 AM Friday morning. 

The LMPD department has also slapped four charges against the world’s no. 1 golfer, including a second-degree assault on a police officer. Schefler, allegedly, dragged the officer to the ground, causing irreparable damage to his $80 pants, and causing pain and abrasion on his wrists and knee. 

There was a traffic blockage in front of Valhalla gate no.1, due to a fatal accident in which John Milis, a 69-year-old security guard at the course was killed. Scottie Scheffler, apparently, unaware of the circumstances mistook the police officers, who were wearing highly visible yellow jackets, for tournament security and tried to sidestep the traffic. 

Per eyewitness reports from Jeff Darlington of ESPN, and his colleague, play-by-play announcer, Bob Wischusen, Scheffler pulled over a few yards after the police ordered him to stop. The reigning Masters champion was released a few hours later after the arrest. 

Scheffler admitted he was ‘rattled’ and ‘shaken’ by the entire incident. The 10-time PGA Tour winner carded 2-over 73 the next day. And after the final round, Scheffler accepted he was ‘fairly tired.’ Although the 27-year-old claimed that police officers were helpful in calming him down, his attorney has minced no words in refuting the claims of LMPD police.

Where does the Scottie Scheffler case stand at the moment? 

Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines has categorically denied all the charges. “There was never at any time, did the officer stop him, he disregarded, accelerate, any of those things. He followed another traffic control officer’s directions as to how to proceed and that’s what he did.” 

Notably, Louisville councilmember Anthony Piagentini, told CNN that, “I think the charges should either be dropped entirely or at least be dropped down to a very, very tiny misdemeanor.” Piagentini, however, refused to pass the buck on the LMPD detective, stressing it was a misunderstanding.

Scottie Scheffler was originally scheduled to appear before the court on May 21, Tuesday. However, Romines pushed for a postponement of the date. Jefferson County prosecutor Mike O’Connell vehemently opposed the move, emphasizing, that Scottie Scheffler should be treated like ‘everyone else’, not as a special person. Romines countered postponement is granted in other cases as well, so he was not asking for a privilege to be given to Scottie Scheffler. 

Eventually, Judge Anne Delahanty overruled the objection granting a later date for arraignment. The 27-year-old is scheduled to appear before the court on June 3, unless the matter is settled before that. Scheffler will tee off on Thursday at Colonial for the Charles Schwab Challenge.