USC cornerback Josh Shaw will not be charged following an investigation into potential domestic violence, but remained suspended Monday as the team prepares for the Trojans’ big game against UCLA.
Shaw has been suspended from the team since Aug. 27, after he admitted fabricating a story about injuring his ankles by leaping from a second-floor balcony to save his 7-year-old nephew from a swimming pool.
Shaw was actually “involved in a heated argument” with his girlfriend at her apartment near the campus, and Shaw walked outside on a balcony to calm down, according to a charge-evaluation sheet from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office obtained by the Orange County Register.
Shaw then panicked and climbed over the balcony railing and dropped 20 feet, according to the document. Shaw’s girlfriend, who first lied to police about her whereabouts, denied any physical or sexual assault.
Shaw’s attorney, Donald Etra, told City News Service in August that there was no crime.
“There was no domestic violence. There was no crime of any kind. Josh made a mistake. He acknowledged it. He apologized for it. He has made amends. It is now time to move on.”
Tim Tessalone, USC’s sports information director, said that despite the district attorney’s decision not to file charges, Shaw remains suspended from “all team activities.”
“USC will conduct its own investigation,” Tessalone said.
Tessalone said he could not predict how long that inquiry might take.
