Two former LSU players pleaded innocent to separate crimes on Thursday.
Former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor simple battery stemming from an incident outside Shady’s Bar on Aug. 19.
Jefferson did not attend the arraignment hearing, but his attorney, Lance Unglesby, entered the plea. State District Judge Chip Moore scheduled a status hearing for May 10.
During the status hearing, Jefferson and his attorneys will meet with the judge and prosecution, and the group will decide how to proceed. Jefferson could change his plea, continue to plead guilty or possibly have his charges changed or withdrawn.
Jefferson continued to claim innocence during a radio interview Thursday with WCNN radio in Atlanta.
“I was not involved in the situation,” Jefferson said. “That situation was a whole scam for [Andrew Lowery, the alleged victim]. He was trying to get money, he was trying to do whatever he can to sabotage what I had going on.”
According to Louisiana law, a simple battery conviction carries up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
Former LSU running back Charles Scott also pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual battery.
Scott, 23, was arrested in November for simple rape of an 18-year-old woman. His charges were reduced to sexual battery Monday, and a trial date will be set after a status hearing in June.
Sexual battery holds a penalty of up to 10 years of imprisonment.
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]
Jefferson, Scott plead innocent in cases
February 9, 2012