Freshman running back Tyler Ebell may be called to testify in
the trial of three Carson High School students accused of raping a
female student in a De Neve Plaza building fall quarter.
According to a report by the Daily Breeze, Ebell could play a
role as a minor witness when court proceedings resume on June
17.
Alyson Messenger, Los Angeles County deputy district attorney,
said Ebell’s name was mentioned in preliminary police reports
submitted shortly after the rape occurred.
When further investigations were carried out, she said police
contacted Ebell. “Detectives have simply asked him some
questions,” she said.
Ebell was bewildered as to why he had been connected in any way
to the trial. “I have no idea why my name is being mentioned,
and it sucks,” he said.
“I don’t even know what happened,” he
added.
While Messenger was not prepared to offer any explanation as to
why Ebell was mentioned, the story published by the Daily Breeze
indicated the teens being charged apparently sought out the running
back on the day of the incident.
Earlier this week, defense attorneys representing the Carson
High students were slapped with $250 sanctions for delaying court
proceedings.
Messenger said the preliminary hearing was to be held April 17,
but was delayed because defense attorneys were not ready.
“Against the wishes of most who were present, the court
postponed,” she said.
Jamar Dawson, Chuwan Anthony and DeShawn Stringer, all 17, were
visiting UCLA on a school-sponsored trip on Dec. 5, 2002, when they
left their tour group and sexually assaulted a student in her room.
They are being tried as adults, and if convicted, could face up to
nine years in prison.
The incident prompted widespread concerns about campus safety
and was one of two violent crimes committed this school year in
campus housing. In early February, two Saxon Suite residents were
held at gunpoint as two unidentified males looted thousands of
dollars from their room.
The assailants have yet to be apprehended, but according to
Nancy Greenstein, UCPD director of community services, detectives
are pursuing a number of leads.
With reports from Diamond Leung, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.