[UPDATE] The Dragovic Disappointment

by Nestor on Nov 11, 2008 6:47 AM PST Comment 47 comments

From Dohn:

"He was arrested at 4:20 p.m. today in the 3200 block of Overland," Harding said. "He ended a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, and he went back to the apartment to retrieve his belongings. They were thrown on the front porch and an argument erupted. He became angry and pushed her down to the floor."

Ben Howland was informed of the arrest about 90 minutes before the game, and he briefly told the team why Dragovic was absent before Friday's game.

"I found out about 6," Howland said. "He called me in the office. (He was arrested) for misdemeanor allegations of battery spousal or domestic violence. He and his girlfriend, Sofia (Larsson), live together and they're going through a breakup of that relationship. It's been unfortunate. I speak very highly of Sofia.

"She's a great kid. Nikola's a great kid. I'm sure it will be rectified. I'm very confident everything will be rectified shortly."

Larsson, 20, is a former member of UCLA's rowing team.

"It's very disappointing, obviously," Howland said. "I feel bad for Nikola, and I feel bad for his girlfriend."

In terms of what's next here is what CBH told the LAT:

No decision had been made about any team or school discipline.

"I'm going to wait for all the facts," Howland said.

This is not good news. We have to wait for all the facts but I am extremely disappointed that this kind of story is even in the news.

If the allegations against Dragovic turn out to be true at a minimum Coach Howland should consider a long term suspension if not kick him off the team.

This kind of story goes against one of the fundamentals that make up the identity of UCLA basketball prgoram built by Coach Howland that we are so proud of as alums and students. No matter what a player coached by Howland is never suppose to lose his poise under any circumstances and forget who he represents when he is off (and on) the court.

To say that this is an extremely disappointing development would be an understatement. Like I said if there is any merit to the charges of domestic abuse against Dragovic, I don't see why he should keep wearing the four letter uniform. Let's wait to see how the facts turn out to be in this disappointing story.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE (11/11)(N): Looks like CBH might be taking disciplinary action against Dragovic:

"We will discipline him internally," Howland said. "Some of it's been decided. I'm still getting more information."

However, the authorities are still reviewing the case and determining whether to file charges:

Also, spokesman Frank Mateljan said the city attorney's office received the case.

"We're reviewing whether to file charges," Mateljan said. "We're currently reviewing the case."

Mateljan added there was no time frame for when a decision on charges would be made. If Dragovic is charged with battery, the maximum penalty is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

If charges are not filed against Dragovic and he is exonerated we will do everything we can to get the word out. However, if the facts turn out to be against him, he will need to be gone from this program. We will wait to see how this turns out in the long term.

For the short term though I still think Howland should suspend him indefinitely until his case is fully resolved.

GO BRUINS.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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As Usual, CBH is Doing the Right Thing -- And So Should We

We must all “wait for all of the facts”.

I’ve written, several times here, at great length about “fairness”, “due process” and the fact that all who are charged are “innocent until proven guilty”.

ND has simply been charged.

I want to make one thing very clear. Our society should not tolerate violence of any kind. Those who perpetrate acts of violence should be punished.

Violence against anyone is unacceptable.

“Domestic violence” is an area often treated as “special” — one in which the beat officers are instructed to apply a “zero tolerance” policy. What that means is that they have no discretion in deciding whether to arrest and take into custody the alleged perpetrator — be it a man or woman. If a domestic partner says there was violence — there will be an arrest.

Most of the cops I know dislike “domestic” calls more than most others — because they are often called in by one party or the other, not because there was violence but because one party wants to exert leverage or up the ante against the other. In some instances, there was no violence — but zero tolerance often mandates that an arrest and removal be made.

I do not know whether the LAPD has a “zero tolerance” policy in this area. Rotten, do you know? If it does, that, in itself may explain why Drago spent a night in jail.

I am not saying it didn’t happen or that it did. All I’m saying is that CBH is taking the approach we all should take — let’s wait until the facts come in.

For more on this topic, please read my cautionary notes on the so called MJD incident. There was a lot of wailing and angst, MJD lost stature in the eyes of some, only to have he facts completely exonerate him.

Let’s give ND the presumptions of innocence to which he is entitled. There will be plenty of time to talk about appropriate dispositions if he is proven to be guilty.

sjh

PS. There is a difference between a societal sanction and one by an athletic team. CBH can make an administrative decision unfettered by the procedures mandated by the Constitution and the criminal justice system.

If there is any coach in any sport that I trust to do a fair investigation and do the right thing pending a full legal disposition, it is CBH.

One concern I have is that because some here have consistently nailed cheety petey for his lenient applications of administrative discretion, to justify our position we will demand that CBH act immediately and harshly — even though the facts might not warrant it.

We have good reason to distrust cp and absolutely every reason to trust CBH. Let’s just step back and let him handle this.

PPS. It is clear that my many years of work with the criminal justice system and my years of teaching criminal and Constitutional law have affected my judgment and conclusions. I have seen far too many people stigmatized by the reports of conduct that later proved to be unfounded.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 8, 2008 9:25 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

66

I think you should put your post in a separate FanPost … so that it doesn’t get lost in the comments section. Even though it’s on the same topic, your post adds many perspectives that’s not included in mine. Thanks again.

by Nestor on Nov 8, 2008 9:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also waiting for the investigation before I say anything

I don’t know whether the LAPD adheres to a zero tolerance policy, but the patrol cars do have a bumper sticker (among only two or three) that state there is “No Excuse For Domestic Violence” which would indicate to me that this policy is probably in place here.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 9:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In the city of LA, ever since the (first) OJ verdict

if there is ever a credible allegation of any domestic violence, the dominant aggressor goes to jail. No ifs ands or buts. If the police show up and someone alleges they were bumped or pushed on purpose the bumper/pusher goes to jail. Even if the victim says, “Don’t take him to jail! I won’t cooperate!” The police in Los Angeles (which Westwood is in) have a legal obligation to take the suspect into custody in any of these cases.

by Seanny Rotten on Nov 9, 2008 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for clearing that up

Many of us assumed that was the case, but what you said makes sense considering the context. I know this has been a policy that has become more common across the country but the OJ fiasco does seem to be a logical trigger for the LAPD to adopt it.

by Tydides on Nov 9, 2008 8:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One other thing,

if there are any visible injuries consistent w/ domestic violence, the Suspect automatically gets arrested and booked on the felony section for domestic violence.

by Seanny Rotten on Nov 10, 2008 4:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"Don't Take Him to Jail, I won't cooperate"

Rotten,

Thanks for the official confirmation.

My experience with the criminal justice system leads me to believe that “domestic” calls are often the most dangerous for officers because sometimes, when they start to take one party away, the other — who made the call — attacks them and interferes with the arrest.

These are highly charged situations where emotion often over runs fact and reason.

And, that’s why one ought to be careful about drawing conclusions from the fact of arrest.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 10, 2008 7:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Every sentence you wrote is

100% correct according to this officer’s first hand observations.

Further, this is a big reason all officers hate dealing with domestic violence situations. Every officer with any time on, who has arrested and booked someone for domestic violence and then appeared in court for either the preliminary hearing or the actual trial has at least once seen his victim sitting in court with the defendant.

Yes, there is no excuse for domestic violence, but why the hell should I risk my health and safety – and my partner’s – to take someone into custody when it won’t even matter???

by Seanny Rotten on Nov 10, 2008 2:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That is so true

People take zero tolerance to the extreme. The mentality of condemn and convict first ruin so many reputations.

by Htse005 on Nov 8, 2008 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hold on there...

Any guy who has ever been on the wrong side of a woman who has lost her mind can tell you that its a near impossible situation to handle. From the report, it doesn’t sound like he struck her or pursued any attempt to hurt her. I have personally been in the situation where I pushed a girl down, but I was simply trying to separate myself from her claws. I wasn’t actually trying to push her down. When you have a woman grabbing at you and screaming at you and you are just trying to get away or get to your things to leave it is easy, while pushing away, to accidentally knock someone smaller than you over. It may not have been any intent to hurt her, and I suspect it wasn’t.

If you don’t know Nic, he is a really nice guy. A REALLY nice guy. Genuine, funny, goofy guy. I don’t think it is likely he had any intention of hurting her and I hope the police situation gets resolved asap.

Dustball!

by dustball on Nov 8, 2008 10:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Poor Judgement!

It is true that we must wait for all the facts to surface before make any a rush to judgment. But one thing is clear right now. A UCLA BB. player must represent himself and the university in a positive manner. ND may be a great kid and all this allegations completely false, but he is definitely guilty of poor judgment. I may be old fashioned. But I still believe in the values taught by coach Wooden, that you must live your life with clear principles. Namely, you don’t live (shack up) with someone and then later dump her like trash. There are emotional and life consequences that may affect you negatively as a result of these poor decisions. People who live by moral and ethical standards are less likely to be arrested for domestic violence.

by cyberdbk on Nov 8, 2008 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He has to go

if the story holds up. I don’t see any gray areas here. If he pushed his ex gf down, whether he meant to hurt her or not, it’s simply not acceptable. It makes our team and school look bad if he’s allowed to stay on the team. In my eyes, this is worse than almost all of the things that we’ve accused $C of allowing. I’d rather have agents buying our players than our players pushing around girls.

However, let’s wait long enough to let Howland find all of the facts.

by truebruin on Nov 8, 2008 11:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree to a point

Up to “this is worse” because Sanchez was accused of rape and then they proceeded to blame the victim and send her death threats. That’s worse.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't know about the Sanchez allegations.

Most of what I’ve read coming out of $C recently (besides the Sanchez thing) has to do with players and money. Rape, of course, is an entirely different thing.

by truebruin on Nov 8, 2008 11:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Embarassing, to say the least

Given the circumstances (20 year old male, fresh from breaking up with a girl, finding his stuff on the porch), I can certainly understand why this happened. That said, I certainly do not condone this behavior in any way.

This is UCLA, not U$C, where things like this get you a one quarter suspension. This is Ben Howland’s team, where players are worked hard and punished if they do stupid crap like this, not Tim Floyd’s look-the-other-way-and-pretend-nothing-is-happening program.

I understand what everyone is saying re: waiting to gather all the facts, not assuming guilt, etc. Working in the criminal justice system, I get it, believe me. Yes, Dragovic has all of the constitutional rights and protections our justice system provides. He has that right to confront witnesses against him, to be tried by a jury of his peers, to require the People to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. However, UCLA has an image to maintain, a code of integrity and honor established by greats like Jackie, Coach, and Ashe. This is a program that aspires to mold men like Alfred Aboya, with presidential dreams, and Jordan Farmar, reaching out to help young kids in need.

What we know now is that Dragovic was arrested for violating Penal Code Sec. 273.5(a) (which, for those wondering is a felony/misdemeanor "wobbler"). It appears Dragovic called Howland, let him know what happened, and that he has been arrested. Based on these facts (which I know is not much), the appropriate administrative action would be to suspend Dragovic indefinitely.

It’ll hurt our team, but the kid needs to be suspended indefinitely while the school looks into what happened. A guy with this hanging over his head shouldn’t be on the court. Period. One, the school needs to signal even the appearance of impropriety will not be tolerated. Especially given we have a squad of young guys, guys who need strong veteran leadership, who need clear signals as to what is and what is not acceptable behavior as UCLA student-athletes. Two, given that he is already going through an emotional break-up, facing serious criminal charges are only going to further distract Dragovic. The last thing this kid needs is the pressure of Pac-10 basketball. Let him go to class and deal with this situation (both on an emotional leven and in the legal context). If it resolves in his favor, then he can always come back to the team.

An administrative suspension while an investigation is conducted is the best middle ground here. He stays in school, takes care of the important things (class, his legal case, his housing situation), while the basketball team is allowed to focus on basketball and not what is going on in the courtroom. Moreover, it tells everyone that UCLA will not tolerate this kind of behavior. Once an investigation is complete, then appropriate disciplinary action Iif necessary) can be taken (and if the allegations prove true, I expect severe discipline).

Just some thoughts.

by Bellerophon on Nov 8, 2008 11:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree about him being kicked off if this really did happen

Frankly, I do not even know why he is on our team to begin with, but even if he was our best player he should be kicked off it is true. I have seen quite a few people say a bunch of non-sense about how it is her fault and that women often make this stuff up. What a bunch of bullshit! Support your team, but do not be ridiculous and immediately blame the supposed victim.

You do not put your hands on a woman like that!! If she was angry and flipping out then simply leave or call the police if it gets too bad. Be smart. There is no need to get physical, unless she was trying to kill him and I doubt that happened.

by trainwreck84 on Nov 8, 2008 11:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Let him stay at school if he wants if he is willing to seek counseling though

by trainwreck84 on Nov 8, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't seen those people

but I don’t browse a whole lot of boards. In the same way that people are calling to lay off on Drago until the facts come out, people also need to shut up about the alleged victim.

I will disagree with you about one thing. IF she was attacking him, he does have a right to defend himself. He does not have a right to use excessive force in doing so. I don’t know what you mean by putting hands on a woman “like that” but it sounds as if you have more information than is publicly available at the moment. This is a very specific situation, and that’s why throwing these things out there before we know what happened isn’t helpful at all to anyone.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I did say if she was attacking him with real force

then I understand.

But as I said, be smart. Realize this is not a good situation to be in and get the hell out of there.

by trainwreck84 on Nov 8, 2008 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My friend was once in a situation

Where the only way to “get the hell out” was to remove the obstacle between point A and point B. This becomes a dicey proposition if you are never allowed to touch the obstacle under any circumstance.

I can probably imagine a hundred different ways this could have happened with the vague and spotty information we have been given thus far. It’s clear at this point that outside of whoever is doing the investigation, no one knows a damn thing. There’s no point in talking about what the consequences should be for either party or even “taking sides” until we know a lot more than what we do now.

I agree with what 66 said below. At this point, what we should be concerned about is how our administration is handling it, and I have been satisfied with the reaction thus far.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not goin to lie

I have a bias in these kinds of stories, because I grew up with this. So I probably do naturally tend to side with the female.

by trainwreck84 on Nov 8, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I understand

It’s just that, as was mentioned here and in other threads, we’ve seen these kinds of stories break both ways. There was far more that we “knew” about MJD at that Denny’s or wherever it was before it turned out that he was innocent. I was of course relieved about this because he was and remains one of my favorite players, but also embarrassed that I allowed my snap judgment to dominate more rational thought.

That’s why this time I will sit on the sideline until I hear something conclusive. I don’t know the woman. I also don’t know Drago other than seeing him occasionally in our games, so I have no horse in this race.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Some women are psychos.

Just like some men are psychos. Some women are violent. Just like some men are violent. Have you ever been physically attacked by a woman? Try dating someone who turns out to be bipolar. Try dating someone who sometimes drinks too much. I’ve been there.

We don’t know the facts. We don’t know if he violently pushed her to the floor or if he pushed her out of the way to get out of the apartment and she fell. We don’t know if she even told the truth to the arresting officer.

You are jumping to conclusions.

by Chandler on Nov 8, 2008 2:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I once had to physically move past an ex just to get out of the room…. A woman scorned can be a terrible sight

by impaulv on Nov 8, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"... I can certainly understand why this happened."

With all due respects, unless any of you were there none of you know what the “this” is that happened.

Rushing to judgment, in any way, based upon what you infer or think happened is absolutely unfair and inappropriate.

Right now, all you know is what Dohn reported. Not only is it hearsay, but he’s not the most reliable reporter on the beat.

Coming here and making up stories about an “attack”, anger, anger management, etc says more about you than it does about Drago.

Suspend someone who may have done nothing wrong for fear of being embarrassed? I’d be more embarrassed if we had a coach we could not trust to get to the bottom of this and do the right thing. We have that coach and I’m embarrassed that some around here don’t trust him enough to let him get to the bottom of this and react.

I can distinguish my coach and school from that other school and their coaches. And, I’m not embarrassed to do so.

This rush to judgment is exactly what happened here when MJD was falsely accused. Save yourself the real embarrassment of making judgments without knowing what you are talking about.

Just chill until we know more.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 8, 2008 12:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Seconded

Sage words as always, 66.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for being the voice of reason here 66

We don’t know what happened. We don’t know anything really. Nobody, unless they have information not made public, can really form an opinion yet. You can hope that this is all a misunderstanding and Nikola really didn’t do anything. You can have trust in CBH to handle it correctly. Outside of that, there isn’t much else.

by ryebreadraz on Nov 8, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't have said it better myself

Beautifully said, 66.

"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." -Lily Tomlin

by uclaisthebest123 on Nov 8, 2008 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A bit out of context and overstretching

Usually, I agree with you 66, but on this, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I think, truth be told, you’re stretching what I’m saying and overgeneralizing my point.

True, I don’t know what the “this” that happened is, because, yes, I wasn’t there. But, I think it’s fair to believe, based on why he was arrested, the statement made by the LAPD, as well as the fact Dragovic called Howland to let him know he was arrested, that something happened. I don’t presume to know what that something was, but I think it’s fair to believe that, at the minimum, they got into an argument. Maybe she’s making it all up. Maybe he didn’t touch her. Maybe he did. My point re: understanding was that, when it comes to people at that age, things are easily blown out of proportion; that when young people cohabitate, arguments are sure to follow, especially when there are emotional and intimate relationships involved; and that, given the age of the folks involved and the situation (a break-up), I understand that this kind of situation arose. Yes, I don’t know what exactly happened, but it’s clear something did happen, even it was just a verbal disagreement.

Whether the accusation is true, it should be clear that Bruins do not condone that kind of behavior, that UCLA is better than either (i) pushing someone down or (ii) allowing that kind of situation to get out of control and falsely reporting a crime.

I don’t presume to know one way or the other, and to claim my comment infers such is intellectually dishonest. I admit we don’t know much, that all we know is what the LAPD has stated. You can chalk that up to Doh!‘s unreliability, but I have no reason to doubt a direct quote from the LAPD or the fact that Dragovic is, in fact, in the custody of the LA County Sheriff’s Department. I’m not going to go so far as to say Doh! doctored up a quote and arrest report.

The “this” I refered to is the entire incident. The mere fact he finds himself in this situation, is accused of a crime. Now, like I said, he’s entitled to all of the rights one gets in the criminal justice system. I’m not saying the kid did it. Despite what you’re claiming, I did not come here and say he “attacked” her or needs “anger management.” I don’t like being lumped together with comments I didn’t make, as I’m sure you don’t either.

Which is why I can’t understand why you would allege I’m arguing something like: “Suspend someone who may have done nothing wrong for fear of being embarrassed?” Re-read my comment. Summarizing it as that is, flat-out, intellectually dishonest. Those weren’t my reasons for thinking a suspension was appropriate (on a side-note, we detain people all the time without proving they were guilty of anything; we remand defendants for precautionary reasons, not punitive; likewise, my suggestion is precautionary, not punitive).

My point was, and is, this: we don’t know what happened. The university doesn’t have a whole picture either. Hell, the LAPD probably doesn’t either. However, the prudent course of action, in my opinion, would be to have Dragovic off the team until this situation is resolved one way or the other. Keeping him around the team does no one any good in my opinion: right now, even if he is 100% innocent, he now has to defend himself of criminal charges (even if that means as little as coming to arraignment for the People to dismiss for insufficient evidence . . . for someone who is not a criminal, that surely must be a stressful situation to be in), deal with finding a new place to live, cope with the natural emotions that flow from a break-up, all while being a UCLA student.

Dragovic has a lot he has to deal with now, whether it’s fair or not. Having him around the squad adds a distraction this young team does not need. He’s 20. Howland’s job, as was Coach’s, is more than X’s and O’s. It’s about teaching them about character, about responsibility, and sometimes, it’s about doing something they don’t like for their own good.

Here, suspending Dragovic until the situation resolves is in his best interest, in my opinion. He is not going to be an effective player or teammate while this situation hangs over his head. Moreover, freeing him from basketball gives him the time to deal with the situation and for the university administration to sit down with him and investigate what happened so appropriate action can be taken.

You’re free to disagree with my opinion. I don’t have a problem with that. I do have a problem when my suggestion or opinion is warped, built up as some kind of straw man it isn’t, or lumped in with the opinions of others.

by Bellerophon on Nov 8, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

I have to agree

I think until this situation is resolved, IMHO Howland should suspend ND indefinitely so that he can focus on cooperating with the authorities to ensure all the facts come out and that the situation gets resolved.

This doesn’t mean I am reaching any conclusion re. whether ND is guilty of these allegations. All I am saying is the situation is enough to merit an indefinite suspension and it will also send a clear signal to all UCLA athletes that they cannot get themselves in this kind of mess off the court.

Right now we don’t have any information beyond what has been reported in public. However, that information is enough to warrant an indefinite suspension IMHO until the facts have been resolved.

JMHO.

by Nestor on Nov 8, 2008 1:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Further

I think that it follows logically that if you get arrested then you automatically get suspended. That doesn’t mean that we are condemning him (that would be expulsion), but only that CBH is taking the precautionary measure of suspending a player who has been arrested and is in jail.

The reason we have to do so is that we want to, under all circumstances, avoid a situation in which we have an active player on our team who is guilty of a crime (if he committed the crime he’s still “guilty” before he is convicted).

This is NOT meant to single out ND, it should simply be a standard M.O.

I would like to add that if ND is here (the US) on a student visa, this situation could have immigration implications. Along the same vein, if he had been so lucky as to get a green card, a felony conviction could result in a removal of his permanent resident status.

by eubruin on Nov 8, 2008 2:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

N, thanks, as usual, for being able to say what I was trying to say in a much more eloquent and concise manner.

by Bellerophon on Nov 8, 2008 4:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There is a lot of commentary on this, but nothing from any eyewitness

Nobody knows if anything anyone is saying is even remotely true. No one knows if Dragovic’s story is true, and no one knows if his ex’s story is true. So this is just post after post based on speculation.

But here’s something we don’t have to speculate about. Does anyone know whether the team has any formal policy about a player accused of a crime? One would think that such a policy should exist, but is there such a policy. If so, whatever it is, Dragovich should be subjected to that policy. I doubt if there is a policy that says if a player is accused of something then he is immediately suspended. That just doesn’t sound reasonable to me.

Anyhow, this is going to be my last post on Dragovic’s situation until some actual facts (not facts from someone like Doh! or his multiple “sources,” not facts from three wealthy and influential alumni, and not facts from Art Vandelay) are made known. It’s fundamentally unfair to Dragovic to deem him guilty even of bad judgment without knowing any of the facts.

by Fox 71 on Nov 8, 2008 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I trust that justice will prevail

and that the punishment will be appropriate, because ND doesn’t play linebacker for Southern Cal, doesn’t “own ’da police”, and plays for an honorable, stand up coach like Ben Howland

by godblesstyus95 on Nov 8, 2008 2:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I posted this in 66's post, just wanted to make sure people saw it

From a reliable source, but admittedly, hearsay…
Nikola went to her place, opened the door in on her accidentally as she was right there, knocked her down. She freaked out, thought it was a hostile move, and called the police. When they got there, she tried to explain and tell them it was ok, but they arrested him anyway. I know this is hearsay, but it might go a little ways to help worried fans chill out a little until all the facts become public. And this source was a good friend of both Nikola and his ex-girlfriend. So, patience now, and judgement will come

by yarrrp on Nov 8, 2008 2:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If it is as you say it is

Then first and foremost I’m glad that she wasn’t hurt. Secondly, I suppose I can see the safety precaution behind having to arrest him anyway despite what she says when the police got there just in case (in no way saying he did this) he threatened her unless she retracts her story. Third, IF everyone is okay with it (broken relationship notwithstanding) then I see no reason why there should be further legal problems. A situation like the one described above is the reason why I don’t want to jump to conclusions without hearing something official out of the investigation.

by Tydides on Nov 8, 2008 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There has to be an 801 exception for a blog...

We live on hearsay. Moreover, we live in a society that loves the drama. I don’t know the story, nor do I care. Drago wasn’t over there going Rocky IV on anyone and furthermore, what a 5 min Forward does in his PL is his business. When I start to give a $$it is if this streams into the LA Times. If i start to hear about a crooked program because of Drago, while Petie, Regie, and the fun bunch get a free pass, I may lose it.

In the end, remember guys, stuff happens. We were all 18-19-20, and making mistakes is part of the territory. If Drago is throwing blows against his old lady, there is no excuse, but until more facts are disclosed, I personally am holding judgment.

Cant we just win a football game?

by bruinbrah on Nov 8, 2008 9:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This just confirms our hypocrisy

Seems like the $C guys seems to confirm this.

You should never put your hands on a woman right? Two words: MARK SANCHEZ. Not saying either was right, but rape and pushing someone are different things. I guess the fact that it was her word against his makes the Sanchez thing disappear but this somehow has to stick to UCLA.

I think that we can sit around and take the moral high-road and condemn this kid, knowing the back of our heads that we have tons of talent to replace him. But lets not have a knee-jerk reaction here because the potential for a few $easoned Criminal to cry foul.

Why force the school’s hand in reaction to some criticism from those idiots across town? Trust me, if one of our players jay-walk, they are the first to call us hypocrites while at the same time contorting to make excuses for their felons. Then they compare apples to oranges, rape to a misdemeanor incident. I understand there are lots of emotions on such an issue and I know that some of us want to maintain our image, but things like this are going to happen and our image will remain: Brighter and less-soiled than $C. You can’t polish a turd ladies and gentlemen.

Bottom line is that $C gets to do whatever they want, why shouldn’t we? That’s the message for the NCAA. Once the NCAA starts to punish those criminals, then I say that we start slapping our kids for things such as this.

Why ruin this kid’s life for one youthful indiscretion (unless this is more than just a push to the ground or she was injured)?

Lastly, for the NCAA—keep letting them stake. See what happens.

by Bruins102NCAA on Nov 9, 2008 3:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

As to the Update:

So, we know that the arrest was for a misdemeanor and not a felony and the facts are being reviewed to determine whether he will be charged.

As Rotten points out, if there were any evidence of physical contact, the charge would be a felony.

One thing not really discussed is that CBH knows both ND and his girlfriend and said very positive things about each of them.

There is no demonizing of the alleged victim going on here.

I feel very comfortable that CBH will do the right thing.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 11, 2008 12:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ditto.

In CBH We Trust.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Nov 11, 2008 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Uhm, actually

if there’s physical contact it may be a misdemeanor. If there are visible injuries, it’s automatically a felony.

by Seanny Rotten on Nov 12, 2008 2:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I meant "visible" -- thanks.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 12, 2008 5:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Visible Injuries

The requirement of “visible injuries” is probably a vestige of a certain amount of not trusting the alleged victim and finds its genesis in the old laws of rape. Not too long ago, rape was defined as sexual penetration OVER THE RESISTANCE of the victim. Why was resistance required? Because, when one resists, one usually gets hurt — and there would be “visible injuries” for the criminal justice system to see. With physical injuries, you would not have to “take the word” of the victim, which courts were hesitant to do.

The requirement was a manifestation of both the failure to believe women AND a feeling, among predominantly male law makers, that women often falsely claimed rape. You really don’t want to read the case law in this area — some of the opinions are disgusting.

Many states have changed their laws to eliminate the resistance/injury matrix.

Often overlooked in discussions of both rape and domestic abuse is the fact that a significant number of men are the victims of both.

More than you wanted to know? Probably.

None of us was there when the event happened. And, we haven’t seen the police reports. Here’s my speculation/guess: There were no visible injuries on Dragovic’s girlfriend. But, at the time of the call, or when the officers arrived, she said something that indicated there was physical contact. Dragovic, himself, may have said something, too. Under those circumstances, he had to be arrested and taken into custody — even if, at that time, both he and his girlfriend said it was a “misunderstanding”.

PS. You can take the professor out of the law school but you can’t take the law school out of the professor.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 12, 2008 5:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just wait for the facts

As 66 and Bruingirl stated in CBH we trust. He will handle things appropriately. Charges could be dropped. That would merit a couple game suspension, then upward from there. If yarrrp’s info is correct, then some commenters are being harsh. It was essentially an accident in a stressful situation. If they were together do you think she calls the police? Think back to your college years and how many marginal, stupid, not well thought out things you did. There is a privilege and a small burden to being a Bruin BBall player. If this was just a regular student it wouldn’t be in the press and the school wouldn’t necessarily do anything about it until a conviction. Let’s just wait for all the facts.

by bruinblue85 on Nov 12, 2008 9:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Drago to Play Tonight?

Did anyone else here the commentators on last night’s game say that he would play tonight? He was on the bench in street clothes — sweater vest (I think).

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 13, 2008 6:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

yep

I caught that too. I hope that means we’ll get some good news on the incident. I trust CBH to do what’s right and if he’s giving ND the go for tonight, then that tells me things will be fine. If there was any real doubt, I don’t think CBH would let him suit up.

by UCLAbruin920 on Nov 13, 2008 8:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs