[UPDATE x 2] Three UCLA Incoming Freshmen Players Arrested On Theft Charges, LA Times Celebrates
by Nestor on Jun 26, 2010 10:15 AM PDT
in Football
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PrintOf course the Trojan Times is all over this:
Paul Richardson, Shaquille Richardson and Josh Shirley, all incoming freshmen football players at UCLA, have been arrested for felony theft, according to Los Angeles Sheriff reports. The three were arrested by UCLA police on campus. Paul Richardson is a wide receiver from Gardena Serra High School; Shaquille Richardson is a defensive back from Los Alamitos High School; and Shirley is a linebackers from Fontana Kaiser. All had enrolled at UCLA for summer classes. Paul Richardson and Shaquille Richardson were released on $20,000 bail. Shirley was released without bail. Anyway, we will wait to hear full details from UCLA officials including the campus police. Just got the following comment from UCLA athletics: "We are aware of the situation and we are looking into it. We will have a comment at the appropriate time." The fact that this news appeared on a day like this is more than disappointing. It is disgraceful.
I sure hope Coach Rick Neuheisel and his staff does lot more than just one game suspension for these young men. Even while the charges are pending, they should not be near any kind of practice field or team facilities. They should be focusing on summer schools and come with adequate explanation if there is any behind these charges.
If there are no adequate explanations beyond "kids being kids" we expect CRN to send a hard message beyond stern words. We expect multiple game suspensions and of course the notice that if there is another mishap they should be kicked off our program. Period.
GO BRUINS.
UPDATE (N): Richardson, Richarson and Shirley! Hey that sounds like a law firm. This Saturday is already shaping up to be a memorable one for all the wrong reasons (including the fact that apparently the UCLA family out in Southern California is in the process of putting together a pathetic showing at Coach's Memorial). BTW Richardsons are cousins.
UPDATE II (N): Chris Foster, the LA Times "beat" reporter for UCLA appears giddy about this development as he is cracking smiley faces on Twitter:
Showing his true colors obviously. What a clown. GO BRUINS.
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My Personal Gut Reaction:
They’re gone. Don’t care how talented they may be. Pull the scholies, say goodbye.
Zero tolerance.
Love My Bruins
I certainly hope
CRN takes a harder stance on discipline than Ben Howland did with Ragovic. Two game “suspensions” will not be enough if this proves to be true.
Felony theft?
Not sure what the value of the theft would have to be, but would seem to imply more than just youthful indiscretion. CRN needs to send a clear message that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated at UCLA. I vote for gone or at the very least a 1yr suspension, if they are guilty. If allowed to stay, they’ll have to work their way back into good standing with the UCLA community
by impaulv on Jun 26, 2010 10:29 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Value threshold for felony theft
I believe $950 is the new value to distinguish grand larceny from petty larceny for most goods.
The Legislature raised the threshold from $400 to $950 last year as part of a bill intended to reduce prison overcrowding. The Legislation is SB X3 18, but I’m not sufficiently familiar with its details to know if there are any varieties of theft for which $400 or a lower amount is still the threshold for a felony charge.
For what it’s worth, my view on student athletes charged with crimes is that they should be treated like an employee on paid administrative leave pending legal proceedings. The presumption of innocence, to me, means that they should be allowed to keep their scholarships and practice, but not be allowed anywhere near a game until they are exonerated.
by FreewayBruin03 on Jun 26, 2010 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm with Bruingirl
This isn’t the U of South Central. They have to go.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
I think this is a GREAT sign
This is proof positive that our football program is gaining on SUC. IMHO, we should start sweeping these things under the rug for the next . .. say 10 years . .. and wait for the NCAA to punish us after we have stockpiled a bunch of Pac10 championships and BCS bowl victories.
In all seriousness
Doesn’t mean we respond to this the way Trogans have done in last 10 years or throughout their stained history.
Confused?
The demeanor of our baseball team has seemed stellar.
Did I miss something? Did we do something wrong with Erin Andrews?
sjh
by Class of 66 on Jun 26, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Very dissapointing
Hope CRN sends a very harsh message to these guys and that it translates to the rest of the football team. We are not $uc and this type of crap should not be tolerated
Not a full house at Pauley?
I was heart broken when I had to fly home on Wed. I had hoped to go to the memorial and planned to watch in the over flow room figuring it would be impossible to get a seat.
I’m hoping I misinterpreted the front page message.
The house should be full and overflowing — first and foremost with Bruins and then will all people of good will and understanding. After all, Coach was a Galactic Treasure.
I’m going to try to listen to KPCC’s coverage on my iPhone.
Hoping there will be a video, later, to see.
Those of you there, please represent all of us who cannot be.
RIP Coach.
sjh
You didn't misinterpret anything
Unless the crowd is “late arriving” it’s not a packed crowd in Pauley. Oh and the LA Times is celebrating the arrest with smiley faces on Twitter. Sat. is shaping up to be an EPIC FAIL.
On a day when we honor the man of ultimate character
this is absolutely embarassing. How long have these kids even been on campus?
Of course, we need to know all the details. If they are not guilty, then you still have to be concerned about how they ever got themselves in this position in the first place.But if they are guilty, then they’re gone and good riddance and glad they decleared themselves early so we didn’t waste any more time on them.
As far as references to how we would respond if this happened across town – I don’t care. I have higher standards for our own, and never want to be compared to them.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
One noteworthy detail
Shirley was let off without bail while the Richardsons were released on $20,000. It implies those two are accused of something lot more serious. Let’s see what the facts are. However, the fact that this is eve an issue on a day like this is pathetic and d
A day or two after they arrived.
Sad, sad situation.
by C.T. in Boston on Jun 26, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, we’ve been in this situation. Hopefully Neuweasel…ahem, sorry, Neuheisel lays down the law.
Sorry for the namecalling. He’s still vaguely a Husky to me.
Onto victory urge the heroes, of our mighty Oregon!
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Jun 26, 2010 11:05 AM PDT reply actions
Actually
I do hope Neuheisel handles it the same way Chip Kelly did. Kelly did a great job. And, yes … please don’t take cheap shots at anyone associated with UCLA. Thanks.
It was a joke directed at his association with Washington. Lo Siento.
Onto victory urge the heroes, of our mighty Oregon!
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Jun 26, 2010 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Quack - Perfect name
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.
Rick played an office pool (!) was fired - (without cause) picked up a substantial check for his trouble and left the program with a winning record. And the program went south.
So why do you slam him???
Go troll over at $UC’s site.
by C.T. in Boston on Jun 26, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Huh?
Onto victory urge the heroes, of our mighty Oregon!
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Jun 26, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
No. I wouldn't have put the last line in my original post if I was being serious.
Neuheisel, Kelly, and Riley are the 3 Pac-10 coaches that I respect the most. It was really a joke. Promise.
Onto victory urge the heroes, of our mighty Oregon!
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Jun 26, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
You're an honorable man, Q!
Sorry for my over reaction.
Nestor’s right — it’s all good!
by C.T. in Boston on Jun 26, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
no details
lets not jump to any conclusions just yet. being arrested for something and being guilty are two very different things, lest we forget LAPD’s illustrious history…
And Duke too
The injustice done to the lacrosse team at Duke in general and the 3 kids who were arrested there and later completely exonerated in particular should be lesson to us all. You are right, let’s see what the facts are.
Absolutely!!!!!!!!
I am in my 60s and I have never been arrested nor has any member of my family been a arrested. I wouldn’t know how to get arrested.
But here we have three 18 year olds who have gotten their names on a police blotter (I wonder if there really have a blotter but I get your point). You are right—absolutely unacceptable—innocent or guilty—what was going through their minds?
We will find out in short order.
Interesting perspective
But I don’t think you realize how easy it is to get arrested. I have been arrested before, and I can tell you that it was for no good reason. I just so happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I ran into two individuals late at night that had malice on their minds, and called the police because they happened to be friends with them. I did absolutely nothing wrong, but I was arrested for first degree burglary based on the false statements of two crooked individuals. I will never forget that night. It completely destroyed my illuson of justice. I am partly to blame because I was out drinking with friends…but who here hasn’t indulged at times? I wasn’t looking for trouble…trouble found me. It just so happens that I found myself in such a situation because I was trying to be responsible by walking home instead of driving. I think an 18/19 year old should be given a little bit of leeway. If it’s found under a court of law that they are guilty of their crimes, then I think we should kick them of the team.
In the end, all charges were dropped against me after those fools admitted that they lied that night. It almost cost me my job, but I was lucky enough to have an understanding boss at the time. Peggysue69, I respect your opinion, but I think you are being presumptuous. Let the legal system play out before making a judgement. Because believe it or not, there are innocent people that have been charged with crimes before.
Duke
First, your plainly stated recollection of the injustice done to you is chilling. Injustice can happen to anybody and it happened to you.
Second, as I stated in an earlier note, we need to be ever cautious because of what happened at Duke. You lived the injustice of what happened to the Duke lacrosse team.
Third, our situation is different in this sense—there is a recurring problem with highly recruited college athletes committing crimes. Devoted readers of this site spend a lot of time ragging on that crime wave on Fig that passes for an university. Their problems, which did not arise to this degree at UCLA during the Dorrell years, cannot develop here. We cannot become usc II in the police blotter rankings.
Finally, President Kennedy used to say, “Life’s unfair.” What happened to you proves it. As you say, let’s get all the facts.
by peggysue69 on Jun 28, 2010 7:57 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Theft on campus - most likely shoplifting
California Shoplifting Laws
Petty Theft – Usually charged as a misdemeanor for first time offenses, Petty Theft is the act of stealing goods valued at less than $400. May be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the value of the goods stolen and the time that has lapsed since the previous Petty Theft charge. Petty Theft that involves stolen goods valued at under $50 may, in some cases, be reduced to an infraction and a criminal record avoided.
Time will tell
by C.T. in Boston on Jun 26, 2010 11:57 AM PDT reply actions
Opportunity
This is Coach Neuheisel’s opportunity to set the tone in many respects. To begin with, if any or all of the three are innocent—that needs to be established quickly. The kid or kids who have committed no crime need to be identified as innocent. This cannot turn into Duke II with innocent students being pilloried. More to the point, all innocents in this caper need to get back to work on school so they can ultimately graduate and get ready to win football games.
Now let’s talk about the guilty. Coach Neuheisel has taken took some hits for his lack of aggressiveness in dealing with misconduct by players (he did not recruit) at UW. And when he was interviewed by Kurt Streeter after coming to UCLA, Coach Neuheisel made it clear he was a changed leader. (Which I believe.) But now is the time to show it.
In the Streeter interview, Coach Neuheisel recognized he had not been sufficiently tough on the player (Jerramy Stevens who by all media acocunts was a one man crime wave):
“Out of all of this, that’s my biggest regret,” Neuheisel said. He gave a painful look. “I should have made that penalty stiffer. I had an opportunity to send a loud and clear message and neglected to do so. I should have been stronger.”
Good people learn from their mistakes. Coach Neuheisel is a good man and I believe he has learned from his mistakes. He just needs to prove it now to others.
Finally, quoting a piece in the Times shows the effect of Coach Neuheisel’s prior failure to do what he should have done at UW (what I have confidence he will do now do) has on UCLA’s reputation. It gets thrown in his face by a hypocritcal newpaper which has failed to conduct even the most rudimentary examination of the most corrupt athletic program in American history.
Here's the specturm...
Coach Kelly in Oregon at a 10 on ethics and Lame Kitten at 0.
When the dust settles, UCLA has to be in the Kelly range on this.
by C.T. in Boston on Jun 26, 2010 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh Binky -- it's so hot no wonder he allowed a run on an error!!!!
Haaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
I guess this is what happens
when you start winning recruiting battles with $C. Once the facts are out, if the charges are legit, they should be gone.
good point
there’s always this chance when you recruit top notch athletes who have been told how great they are!
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Nestor and/or other Managers...
Can you repost the UCLA Friday video so we can listen to the articulation of Malcolm Jones which can help us to overcome the nausea of this incident.
We Need
A football team full of players who don’t get arrested, period. I believe with all my heart in the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty, in a criminal court of law.
Scholar athletes at UCLA must be beyond reproach. Period. It is “gray areas” and “wait and see” that gets a program, and ultimately the institution, in trouble.
I hope things work out for them. I hope they learn from the experience. I hope they have very competent representation, and that their procedure is completely fair and just.
I also hope that Coach Neuheisel dismisses them from the team and pullls their scholarships. It is what is best for the team, and for our school.
Love My Bruins
LOL
You contradict yourself. You presume innocent until proven guilty, but you are already condemning them by asking CRN to pull their scholarships. I realize you are saying that their is no room for grey area, but that makes no sense. The legal system should be allowed to play out. See my post above.
Sad note - Timing awful
Coming in the wake of the SUC sanctions, and on Coach’s special day. A serious bummer. What were they thinking?
Really? Five days into your college career
and you get arrested for something? Five. Days?
How do these kids not know how extremely fortunate they are to be blessed with (i) athletic prowess at a level unsurpassed by many throughout the world; (ii) a relatively free education at a top university in the world; (iii) the ‘sights’ that UCLA’s campus offers; and, (iv) the opportunity to make millions in as few as three years’ time IF they play by a relatively mundane set of rules?
You put all that in jeopardy…….?
If true, unfortunately, I think you gotta boot them. Tough lessen to be learned on their part and an obvious loss to UCLA from a recruiting standpoint….however, they’ll get picked up somewhere and still get a free education, but this is the kind of crap that resulted in the Dorrell hire and the worst decade of UCLA football since the 1920’s. I don’t want to ever have go through a decade like that in my lifetime!!
Good point on Dorrell hire
The player misconduct under Toledo was a factor in the decision to hire Dorrell. Dan Guerrero has said he was brought in to “heal” the program. I don’t think that will happen here—CRN will take appropriate corrective action. But Toledo’s unwillingness to be a disciplinarian led to a bad hire and required us to watch inept football for too many years.
by peggysue69 on Jun 27, 2010 10:46 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
the worst part
is seeing how happy this makes Chris Foster.. He and Lisa Horne are probably toasting to this…
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Not the kind of news
our program needs at the moment. Awful.
If they were indeed guilty of the theft they are accused of, CRN and UCLA must make a stand and banish them from our program. Zero tolerance policy.
by UCLAngels on Jun 26, 2010 7:25 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
it is sad but it is thr truth
If you want the highly skilled, more talented players, you have to accept whatever character issues come with them. all the great teams of the SEC (and SC of course) deal with these on a gigantic level, but choose to sweep it under the rug because winning feels so good. we want to hold our selves to a higher standard, but unfortunately that comes at the risk of the program becoming mired in mediocrity
Bologna
The San Antonio Spurs have used an all character guys all the time model for years and it produced some fantastic teams. It’s not like top prospects lists and most wanted lists are one in the same. You don’t have to go out of your way to find solid kids with solid backgrounds that are also solid ballplayers.
Btw, the Spurs picked up James Anderson of Oklahoma St on Thursday. Here’s a quote from Anderson’s coach:
“I’ve got two young sons and if they grow up to be like James Anderson as a person, I’ll feel very good about it.”
St. Matthew 7:1-3 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
What ever happened to waiting for the facts before you judge another? Trust that Coach Neuheisel and the University will handle each accused athlete appropriately given their knowledge of the facts. Their counsel will be competent and their judgment and punishment fair given each athletes innocence or guilt in this “mad” caper.
I have never seen so many willing to jump all over some 18-19 year old kids without any facts of the situation. Makes me wonder if any of you are parents or have ever participated yourselves in some similar activities? You simply do not know the facts, you don’t know their intent or involvement, you have no idea if what they are accused of is true or to what degree each participated, you don’t know their respective roles in whatever took place, if anything, and you have no basis to jump to conclusions.
My suggestion is to wait patiently until all the facts are known and see what the authorities rule before flying off the handle.
I can recall an incident that I was falsely accused of involving a girl, a “drunken” senior" back when I was a junior in high school that proved to be absolutely false and I was completely exonerated. The truth was I was the one who prevented the girl from being assaulted by a number of would be bad boys. The police went so far as to come to me later and apologized for their jumping to a hasty and wrongful conclusion based on a false accusation. They too over reacted without all the facts.
An incident like this is not going to sell this fine University or its Football Program with its’ great Neuheisel led rejuvenated reputation down the drain.
All I ask is that you all back off a notch on your premature pistols. You may be right but wait and get the facts first.
'CaptainJack65'
Jack Metcalf
well said
It may not look good, but I trust Neuheisel to do a proper investigation (he does know something about this since he has a law degree, right?) and give an appropriate punishment.
I am not happy, and they need to be talked to about hanging with the right crowd and avoiding even questionable situations, but they are innocent until proven guilty.
agree, we need to slooooow down
yes, it looks like a bad situation. We, however, do not hold the facts. We just know that this is something that needs to be investigated and dealt with, and I have nothing that says Neuheisel will not do that appropriately. We also need not abandon these kids so quickly. Even if something did happen, shouldn’t we use this as a learning opportunity? Certainly, I am not calling for total freedom. Rather, shouldn’t we focus on helping these 18 year-olds instead of kicking them to the curb because it might hurt our reputation?
Wooden’s memorial was today, so let’s remember what he said: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
by Captain Leebeard on Jun 27, 2010 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions
+1
Over the years I’ve been on BN, each time we’ve had a player arrested, I’ve tried to articulate the same position, albeit from a different perspective.
Yesterday, when I read this story, and the immediate responses to it, I wanted to simply site some of my old posts; I was sure that no one wanted to hear from me again about waiting until the facts came in and the presumption of innocence.
In my old posts, I used my perspective as a lawyer and law professor. Doing so was often seen as “technical” or “formalistic” — until after someone like MJD was exonerated from all wrongdoing when many who had pre-judged him celebrated when his good name was cleared.
I like your approach better. It is rooted in the basic moral concepts that caution us to be careful when we “judge” and an overriding sense of “fairness”.
I’m with you on this one.
sjh
Remember, more than these three arrived on 6/28
To Capt. Leebeard’s point…let’s chill until all the facts are out.
As much as we are upset, let’s realize how this incident affects CRN and his associates. In light of the recent events at $UC, our university’s officials will be quite cognizant of public reactions to how these players are handled.
Meanwhile, to get the bad taste from your mouth, cleanse your pallete with a quick snapshot of some of the other incoming freshmen arriving on campus earlier this week:
Looks to me
That Shirley was hanging with the wrong two “pals” on that day. Some athletes think they are “special” and they can make their own rules. Thats too bad. If this turns out badly…cut them loose.
by LouisianaBruins on Jun 27, 2010 7:22 AM PDT reply actions
Can we at least wait until charges are filed?
If they are then some suspensions are in order pending trial.
If they are convicted then we can start talking about more permanent consequences.
You know,one or more might be innocent.
This is America, not Amerika.
A clean program is a must, but let’s not jump to conclusions based on a mere arrest
I believe
everyone who has chimed in has qualified their comments with an ‘if true’ or ‘if found guilty’…..
I haven’t yet read one post that says to kick them off if they are exonerated….
As a Duck fan, I agree with this approach.
Just know that awful sports writers in the media will be calling for your coach’s head if he decides to take this approach. Us Duck fans know this from recent incidents with the law. Coach Kelly waited for the law to run it’s course and then made a decision once he had all of the facts, rather than jump to potentially wrong conclusions. Many sensationalist sports writers will want immediate dismissals from the team, just ignore them.
Self-anointed President of the Kenjon Barner fan club.
Well
We have been very impressed with how Chip Kelly has handled all of it. I thought he did a fantastic job with Blount last season. CRN has also done well since coming to UCLA and expect him to do the same thing here. Good luck to you guys rest of this off-season.
No matter the outcome
Being associated with something like this does not happen by coincidence. Even if they are not guilty, they should be suspended from all games for this upcoming season and be forced to play on the scout team. This would hurt for Shirley as I suspect he was going to get a lot of playing time this year.
A bruin is good forever, a Trojan is only good... ahh eff it, just use tin foil
"I ACCUSE".....
Anybody can be accused of doing something but conviction or even confession to the facts is something else again. Unlike you know who, we do not control the police (not enough free tickets) so we take the asswaults. If guilty they should be banned from six games and be warned that any future legal issues will result in dismissal from not just the team but school as well.
Can someone please tell Berkowitz on UW Dawg Pound that UCLA fans, in general, support Chip Kelly’s disciplinary decisions and hope that Neuheisel does the same? He seems to think that it’s “Funny how different UW and UCLA fans are from University of Oregon fans.”
Here’s a hint: We almost ALWAYS agree with Kelly.
Onto victory urge the heroes, of our mighty Oregon!
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Jun 27, 2010 3:59 PM PDT reply actions
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