Deliberations Begun by Jury in Trial of Three USC Players

A Los Angeles Municipal Court jury began deliberations Tuesday in the trial of three USC football players accused of dragging a women into a campus dormitory room and sexually molesting her.

Charged with misdemeanor counts of false imprisonment, battery and sexual battery are Willie McGinest of Long Beach, Michael Jones of Granada Hills and Jason Oliver of Bakersfield.

Michael C. Carney, who defended Oliver, presented a closing argument that echoed those of co-counsel the previous day. The defense claims that so many inconsistent statements were made throughout the monthlong trial that it is impossible to convict the defendants.

Carney also said that the alleged victim lied on the witness stand.

Deputy City Atty. George Lomeli attacked the defense’s arguments, claiming it tried to divert attention from the “real issues.” Lomeli said the defense used tactics of character assassination against himself and the 23-year-old USC graduate student.

Lomeli also told the 12-person jury that one of the prosecution’s witnesses lied during testimony because he is a USC athlete. The witness, Dreux Valenti, a distance runner, testified that he walked in on the three men and the woman while the alleged incident took place. His account of events contradicted that of the woman.