July 7, 2005
LSU lineman arrested for assault
LSU Tigers defensive end Chase Pittman has been arrested and charged with assault for his role in a bar fight. Baton Rouge's WBRC is reporting that Pittman confronted a man after ladies in the bar told him that they had been groped. Pittman reportedly hit the man, knocking him out, and --according to early reports-- then kicked him while he was unconscious.
No official report has been published yet. More to follow.
UPDATE 7/8/05 8a: The story is now posted online. The charges are second-degree battery, which is a felony in Louisiana. There is no mention of Pittman having kicked the victim, just that he assaulted him. Police found the man on the ground outside of Bogie's Bar and Grill with his eye swollen shut.
UPDATE 7/8/05 8a: Here's a recount from KLFY:
An investigation determined Pittman was involved, and during an interview, told detectives that the altercation occurred after the man allegedly grabbed the breast of a woman in the bar.When Pittman approached the man about the incident, Pittman says the man threw a punch at him and Pittman reacted, punching the man in the face.
Comments:
Danny said:
posted on July 7, 2005 11:38 PM — 64.12.116.139 — link — abuse?
Dave -
My guess would be the charge(s) will be dropped, or reduced. Just a guess, I certainly don't know the specifics. All bets are off though if he continued to assault the guy while he was out.
In the meantime, can't see him escaping a suspension. Miles might set the bar with this one. Stay tuned.
posted on July 8, 2005 12:52 PM — 206.124.221.226 — link — abuse?dave frey said:
I know a couple local cops. Here's what I'm hearing:
Pittmann heard 2nd hand about the groping incident. He first tried to say the girl was a friend of his and he'd seen it, but when questioned further, couldn't provide cops her first or last name, and hadn't seen the alleged groping. Also, they say he most certainly DID kick the guy at least twice after knocking him unconscious. The guy was allegedly about 5'9, 175. I having a hard time believing a guy of that stature, even if completely wasted, throws a first punch at Chase Pittmann, who goes 6/4, 258. Pittmann's a real toughguy, it would seem.
schmed said:
posted on July 8, 2005 3:47 PM — 68.155.98.24 — link — abuse?
Sounds like his JQ (judgement quotient) is no higher than the snap count.
Just because you can kick a pencilnecked geek's ass doesn't mean you should. Even if he really does deserve it.
Seems to me it would've been funny if Chase'd'a just picked him up by one of his hind legs and jiggled him.
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dave frey said:
posted on July 7, 2005 10:46 PM — 206.124.221.226 — link — abuse?My sources tell me he'll be charged with 2nd Degree battery, a felony in Louisiana. If that charge sticks, he's probably off the team. But charges like that have a way of being reduced or dropped, especially where star athletes are concerned.