THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 17, 1996 TAG: 9602170470
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ADAM BERNSTEIN, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Leggett Stores says it was responsible for the two-month delay in pressing charges against two University of Virginia basketball players accused of shoplifting from a Charlottesville store.
The two freshman roommates - Scott Johnson and Darryl Presley - were arrested Tuesday on charges of petty larceny. They were accused of shoplifting $200 worth of merchandise on Dec. 16 from the Leggett Department Store in Fashion Square Mall.
``This situation was recently brought to our attention in the corporate office,'' Leggett spokesman Jeff V. Haley, who is based in Danville, said in a written statement. ``We investigated it immediately and determined that our Charlottesville, Va., store erred in its handling of this situation.
``Our policy is to prosecute all shoplifting in our stores,'' the statement said.
Johnson and Presley were suspended for two games - on Dec. 21 and 28 - for ``team rules violations,'' according to U.Va. sports information director Rich Murray.
On Wednesday, the day after the arrest, basketball coach Jeff Jones released a statement saying the players ``will not participate in games for the indefinite future. I am taking this action for their good and the good of the team. Scott and Darryl will continue as students and will be allowed to practice with the team.''
The alleged shoplifting incident first came to light when U.Va.'s student newspaper, the Cavalier Daily, reported Feb. 2 that store employees were upset by the failure to prosecute.
The delay in the arrests also has irritated some students, who wondered if athletes were getting special treatment and if administrators tried to keep the matter under wraps.
Davis Bonner, 20, a junior from Cleveland, said: ``It seems to me there's some pressure being put on here. Students are feeling like: Why do athletes get to get away not only with stealing but also an honor offense? . . . I think the student body is glad charges are being pressed.''
But athletic officials have defended their actions. Athletic Director Terry Holland said neither he nor his coaches get involved in legal or academic matters involving student-athletes.
``We have no control over these things,'' he said. ``Coaches are told very clearly not to interfere with those processes. . . . It's a legal matter and has to be between the individuals involved and Leggett. We try to ensure that our student-athletes are treated the same way other students are treated.''
Holland said neither he nor anyone else in the athletic department has been in contact with Leggett.
But last week, U.Va. President John T. Casteen III asked two administrators to investigate the matter.
``We just want to make sure the university responded in an appropriate fashion and to make sure there's consistency in student-athletes not receiving any special treatment,'' said William W. Harmon, vice president for student affairs, who will investigate the matter with executive vice president Leonard W. Sandridge.
KEYWORDS: SHOPLIFTING ARREST UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA by CNB