Alleged incident took place in Station Square parking lot

Tuesday, September 02, 2003

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

A 19-year-old woman filed a criminal complaint against Pitt starting quarterback Rod Rutherford early yesterday morning after an alleged incident in the parking lot behind a Station Square bar and grill.

According to the complaint filed at the Zone 2 police station in the Hill District, the woman said that she and two of her female friends were joined in a car by Rutherford. She said Rutherford then began making advances toward her. She said Rutherford became angry when she rejected his advances, then got out of the car and grabbed her arm and tried to pull her out of the vehicle, too. She claims he then kicked her window and shattered it as she drove away. She also said her head was bumped during the scuffle and was hit with some of the shattered glass. She did not seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries.

Rutherford, a fifth-year senior, was unavailable for comment but met with police yesterday afternoon at Pitt's South Side facility and gave a statement. According to a source close to the situation, Rutherford said he was provoked by the woman when she threw a glass at him in the parking lot.

Rutherford's attorney, Jim Wymard, said no charges have been filed in the case and that Rutherford is cooperating with authorities.

Pitt Coach Walt Harris said in a statement that he was "continuing to gather all of the information" regarding the incident and that he would not make any decision regarding Rutherford until the investigation is complete.

The 10th-ranked Panthers open their season Saturday against Kent State at Heinz Field.

The incident took place outside Philthy McNasty's in Station Square, where Rutherford and several other Pitt football and basketball players attended a private party Sunday night. According to Wymard, Rutherford knew two of the women from his time at Perry Traditional Academy and was familiar with the third -- the one who filed the complaint.

After the incident, the women went Downtown and called 911 to register the complaint. That is why the complaint was filed at the Zone 2 station in the Hill District rather than the Zone 3 station in the South Side.

A desk officer at the Zone 2 station would not disclose most of the details of the report and said that jurisdiction between the two stations for the investigation has not yet been determined.

Wymard declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, but said "we are hopeful that we can reach an amicable conclusion to this situation. I think everybody involved wants it to work itself out and I believe we will be able to reach that within the next few days.

"We're hoping and expecting that Rod will be able to play in Saturday's game."

Wymard said Rutherford incurred a minor injury that is consistent with his version of the story.

If Harris decides to suspend Rutherford, sophomore Tyler Palko likely would get the starting nod. However, coaches were considering redshirting Palko so he would have three years of eligibility remaining after this season. Harris would then have to decide if redshirt freshman Luke Getsy is capable of stepping in and starting because if Palko plays, he can no longer receive a redshirt unless he is injured in one of the first four games.

It is the second off-season incident involving the Pitt football program. In June, wide receiver Billy Gaines was legally drunk when he fell to his death in a church in Homestead. It was revealed last week that five other under-aged Pitt players were drinking alcohol at a church cookout hours before Gaines' death. Harris did not disclose whether or not the players involved in that incident were disciplined.

NOTES -- Princell Brockenbrough is listed as the starting wide receiver ahead of Chris Curd for the opener Saturday. Also, Josh Lay is listed as the starting cornerback ahead of William "Tutu" Ferguson.

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