Austin Scott’s Preliminary Hearing on Rape Charges

Today was Austin Scott’s preliminary hearing for the alleged rape incident that occurred at the beginning of the month. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which also included several misdemeanor charges regarding sexual assault.

The defense did drop the 2 felony aggravated indecent assault charges against the suspended Penn State tail back, citing lack of evidence for the reason these charges were dropped.

Scott and his accuser have similar stories regarding the early morning hours of October 5. Both say that they had met once before, and developed a text-message friendship before deciding to meeting at a bar. She went back with Scott to his on-campus apartment, where she testified today that he raped her. Scott does not deny that the meeting occurred, but upholds his statement that the sex was consensual.

Scott has been suspended indefinitely from the Penn State football team and has been asked to clean out his locker by coach Joe Paterno. He will, however, be allowed to remain as a Penn State student while he fights the charges.

Scott is 22 and originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania.