Justice to Face Charges

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office Wednesday filed misdemeanor charges against USC offensive lineman Winston Justice for an incident that led to his arrest earlier this month.

Justice has been charged with three counts of exhibition of a replica firearm and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, said Frank Mateljan, spokesman for the city attorney’s office. The penalty for each count is a minimum of 30 days and maximum of 180 days in jail, Mateljan said.

Justice, a 19-year-old sophomore, was arrested March 3 and booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly displaying a firearm during a dispute with the driver of another car and two passengers in a parking lot near campus Feb. 24. There were no physical injuries in the incident.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to file felony charges against Justice because it could not prove that Justice displayed a real gun. The case was referred to the city attorney for possible filing of misdemeanor charges.

After Justice was arrested, USC ruled him ineligible for spring practice, which began March 6 and resumes today. He also was suspended indefinitely from classes and university activities pending a review by Enku Gelaye, director of USC’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards.

On Wednesday, Justice apparently learned his fate during an afternoon meeting with Gelaye that lasted about 90 minutes. The possibilities for Justice included reinstatement, continued suspension from USC or expulsion from the school. If Justice were suspended for the rest of the spring semester, he would be ineligible for the 2004 season.

USC does not release details of student conduct proceedings. Justice and his family declined to discuss the meeting.

“I have no comment at this time,” said Justice’s father, Gary, as he exited the meeting.

In 2001, Marcell Allmond missed the season after he was suspended for a semester by a USC panel for his role in a series of violent off-field incidents. He returned to school and played cornerback in 2002 and 2003.

Justice, who is on probation after pleading no contest in July to a misdemeanor count of solicitation of prostitution in Long Beach, was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning for his latest arrest.

However, just before the court session began, Justice’s attorney, Larry Clough, was informed that the arraignment had been continued pending the review of the case by the city attorney’s office. Outside court, Clough said he would attempt to contact the city attorney.

“It was a toy -- kids playing,” Clough said. “It wasn’t a pellet gun. It was a spring-loaded toy.”

Jerome Stanley, a sports agent who is a USC alum and also an attorney, was present at the courthouse and conferred with Justice’s family and legal representatives. Stanley, however, said he did not have a role in Justice’s legal situation.

“I just happened to be downtown, and I know the kid, and I showed up,” Stanley said.

Later that afternoon, Clough and Stanley were present when Justice and his parents met on campus with Gelaye. Afterward, Gary Justice described Stanley as “a friend.”

Kay Hawes, a spokeswoman for the NCAA, said an agent’s presence in a courtroom does not constitute a violation of NCAA rules unless the player has agreed orally or in writing to be represented now or in the future by the agent, or if the player receives a benefit, such as transportation, from the agent.

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NFL coaches, scouts and player personnel executives were on campus Wednesday for USC’s annual pro day. Eleven players who completed their eligibility or declared for the draft were evaluated for speed, strength and agility. “You’re spending so much money [on draft picks], you better be right,” Kansas City Chief Coach Dick Vermeil said. “If you’re going to buy a Mercedes, you better test drive it.” Wide receiver Mike Williams did not attend the workout. He is scheduled to work out for scouts April 8 in Florida.... USC players said they were thrilled to tour the White House and meet President Bush on Tuesday. Senior cornerback Ronald Nunn said the Trojans are eager to get back onto the field after nearly two weeks off. “It’s been almost too long of a break,” Nunn said. “The last practice we had was real intense and we want to get going again.”