PITT has done the smart thing and released a few pieces of media items to counter all the press Tyler Boyd has generated with his arrest the other night. It is never a bad idea to try to get a bit ahead of the curve on things like this. Here is the original press release with HC Narduzzi’s statement on the situation:
“Tyler’s situation is both serious and disappointing,” Narduzzi said. “We have high expectations for the young men in our program, on and off the field. Tyler understands that and knows he must be responsible for his actions. Certainly he will be held accountable to our internal standards of discipline and behavior.”
Here are some items that are pertinent to this issue:
* WR coach Kevin Sherman on coaching the receivers and working with #23 Boyd. (PITT released today)
Here are some other news article that speak to the impact Boyd has had on the football team and program since coming to PITT. These articles mention his great play on the field but were written to emphasize his strong leadership traits as an underclassman and how that affects others.
*Chryst’s view on Boyd calling out poor efforts by teammates
* Boyd being in a leadership position as a sophomore.
* Boyd taking on his role as one of the leaders on the team.
We’ll find out today the severity of the charges the Alleghany County DA will levy on Boyd and we can expect them to be pretty severe I think.
Something I’ve researched with a check of the Pennsylvania Docket Records show no previous charges for anything at all for Tyler Boyd. That will help Boyd in all these proceedings.
H2P
As far as Barnes goes I will ask.
No prosecutor can ethically comment on a specific case and I only know the facts in the paper – to look them up would be a misdemeanor crime in violation of the Criminal History Information Act. That said, and I do not speak for any office, typically such cases are often waived at the preliminary hearing stage before appearing before E-mels “judge”. (E-mel I love your UPMC conspiracy, LMAO, and will be headed to ARea 51, or Rt 51).
It has less publicity attached for the media hounds, but the decision will be the defendant’s. It is only for a district judge to determine whether there is probable cause. A district judge does not have to be an attorney, in fact some have been janitors, though they must take a test. After the prelim, typically first time offenders enter the ARD program, get probation, possibly community service and hefty fines. ; the program is standardized based on BAC readings, behavior, driving in question etc so nobody will get special treatment.
After probation is completed and fines paid then the charges will be dismissed or withdrawn and the viola individual has no record – a good second chance program. It is all rather routine.
While the breathalyzer has been challenged in the past, sometimes successfully, the blood if drawn at an approved hospital will be what it is. Of course whether one’s BAC is rising of falling at the time of driving is an issue, I ask with the chance to get rid of the charges from one’s record would you take the longshot as no prosecuting office will offer ARD if a defendant does a suppression motion first? Oh, have never met a defendant who admitted to more than “2 or 3” drinks. Might be accurate, might not.
As to questions why the BAC level in general was lowered the federal govt came up with the .08 level and threatened to withhold highway funds if the state did not lower the limit – this threat was made to PA, which acquiesced.
Finally, nobody is targeted specifically. Not surprisingly on weekends police will sit by local bars and fast food places (drinking can lead to the munchies). Drunk drivers are targeted for whatever reason such as public safety but not financial – the money from fines goes to the state not the municipalities)
I was stopped two weeks ago for not using my turn signal coming out of a McDonald’s at 1:00 a.m. (you cant reach in a bag for a burger and use your turn signal) – amazingly I had not been drinking for a change LOL- I am a 6o year old white guy. Such stops are common place, if I am going to drink I hire my buddies son to Uber me around.
Overall though good job by my fellow Blatherites in the discussion.
(Note to RKB – if you don’t mind I am going to move this comment up to today’s post so all can see it)
Do you know if Scott Barnes has brought any of his old team with him to Pitt?
pmdH2P