The Colleges : Titan Gymnast Charged in Stabbing
Cal State Fullerton gymnast Eli Rodriguez has been charged with aggravated assault in the stabbing of a former teammate, a spokeswoman at the Orange County District Atty.’s office said.
Rodriguez, 22, was arrested Sept. 21 after Steve Ciccarelli was stabbed with a kitchen knife during an argument at an apartment in Fullerton.
Rodriguez, who has been suspended indefinitely from the gymnastics team, has called the stabbing “an accident,” and said that he acted in self defense.
But Sgt. Jeff Roop of the Fullerton Police Dept. said last week that detectives were satisfied after interviews with witnesses that there was reason to seek charges and recommended to the district attorney’s office that Rodriguez be charged.
Ciccarelli, who was hospitalized with abdominal wounds and has been released, has declined to comment.
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