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6 months ago
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Controversial podcaster Jason Whitlock walked back his harsh stance on Scottie Scheffler's arrest after Louisville police released new footage of the traffic incident.
Whitlock admitted he was 'wrong' in a social media post Thursday, just one week after tweeting, 'all Scottie Scheffler had to do was comply.'
Upon seeing a video of the arrest, in which Scheffler's car lightly touched a cop on his way into the PGA Championship last week, Whitlock conceded, 'Cop lied about being dragged. Scheffler complied. Cop overreacted. I was wrong.'
In a police citation, it was alleged that the World No 1 golfer dragged Detective Bryan Gillis to the ground during the traffic stop.
However, new video of the arrest, which occurred in the early hours of May 17 near Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, seems to indicate the cop was exaggerating.
Jason Whitlock walked back his harsh stance on Scottie Scheffler's arrest this week
'Cop lied about being dragged ... I was wrong,' he admitted on social media Thursday
The 27-year-old was accused of failing to stop for police as he attempted to gain entry at a point when they were managing traffic in the wake of a fatal collision between a bus and a member of the tournament's security staff, John Mills.
Almost a week on from the astonishing incident, Louisville police held a press conference on Thursday to provide an update on Scheffler's situation.
Contrary to reports, the Louisville Metro Police Department announced that the four charges against Scheffler - including second-degree assault of a police officer - are not being dropped ahead of his arraignment on June 3.
It came hours after cops released footage of Scheffler's arrest during the PGA Championship
Louisville police shared a new video of the moment Scheffler was arrested during a traffic stop
In fixed pole camera footage, a police officer appears to hit Scheffler's car while ordering him to stop (left), before the golf star leaves his vehicle and is taken away in handcuffs (right)
The LMPD also released two videos of the moment Scheffler was put in handcuffs and arrested, which were taken on a fixed pole camera and a police dashcam.
The two-time Masters champion could be seen exiting the vehicle and being led away in handcuffs after the incident.
Louisville police also announced that Gillis broke policy by not turning on his bodycam during the arrest as required by policy. He is said to have received 'corrective action' over the violation.
In an LMPD Body Worn Camera Failure to Record Form, Gillis explained what would have been captured had he turned on his bodycam that morning.
Scheffler is accused of dragging Detective Bryan Gillis to the ground during the incident
However, none of the footage shows the alleged incident that Gillis described
The 27-year-old was then detained by police just hours before he was slated to play
'While directing traffic in front of Gate 1 the PGA personnel stopped a bus from entering Gate 1,' he said. 'I observed a vehicle traveling in the opposing lanes coming at me.
'I stopped the driver and advised him he could not proceed because of the bus: [Scheffler] demanded to be let in, and proceeded forward against my directions.
'I was dragged/knocked down by the driver. I then proceeded to arrest the driver.'
Louisville Metro Police Department said Scheffler was booked on four charges; second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.
In Kentucky, second-degree assault is a Class C felony which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
He was set to be arraigned in a Louisville courtroom on Tuesday but that appearance was rescheduled for June 3.
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