USC Players’ Trial Will Begin May 6

The trial of three USC freshmen football players charged with misdemeanor counts of battery, false imprisonment and sexual battery will begin May 6 in Los Angeles Municipal Court, said George Lomeli, deputy city attorney.

Michael Jones of Panorama City, Willie McGinest of Long Beach and Jason Oliver of Bakersfield were charged after a dormitory incident last July. A 22-year-old USC graduate student said the players took her into a room in Pardee Tower and assaulted her.

All are charged with one count of false imprisonment. Jones is charged with one count of sexual battery, and McGinest and Oliver are charged with one count of battery.

The maximum sentence for false imprisonment is one year in jail, a $1,000 fine or both. The maximum sentence for battery is six months in jail, a $2,000 fine or both.