Lewis Is Cleared of Charges

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office has dropped its investigation of UCLA tailback Jermaine Lewis but Monday filed a misdemeanor battery charge against defensive back Eric Whitfield for his previously undisclosed role in a fight.

Whitfield, who faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail or a $1,000 fine for the single count, is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 21 in West Los Angeles. Earlier in the day, he was suspended indefinitely by Coach Bob Toledo and will miss at least Saturday’s game at Miami.

“We’re filing charges because we believe we can win the case,” said Peter Covette, the supervising attorney for the West L.A. branch of the city attorney’s office.

Whitfield did not attend practice and could not be reached for comment.

The incidents involving Whitfield and Lewis both stem from the same off-campus party in the early hours of Oct. 4.

Elonza Malone III filed a report with university police alleging he was hit “multiple times” and identified Lewis as “one of the people who hit him,” according to the initial report. Lewis and several teammates at the party claimed he was provoked and was defending himself, but the junior was still suspended for one game by Toledo, who said he wants his players walking away from fights instead of being involved in them.

The investigation by university police was turned over to the city attorney’s office, who decided not to file charges against Lewis or Malone. But, Covette said, witnesses said Whitfield was part of another fight with Malone at the same party.

Whitfield, who had started the first two games at free safety but was the backup cornerback at the time of his suspension, had not come forward about his role in the fights. Only recently did he speak to Toledo about the incident.

Lewis, who eventually reclaimed his job as the starting tailback, said he was relieved his case is finally closed.

“That’s just a blessing from above, after that incident,” he said. “It has taken a lot of stress off my shoulders. Now I can start playing with a clear head.”