USC’s Justice Declines to Address His Arrest

USC offensive lineman Winston Justice, suspended by the school last week, said Sunday he could not comment on the incident that led to his second arrest in just over eight months.

“I really can’t do that right now,” Justice said.

Justice, 19, turned himself in Wednesday at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division and was booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon, though not a firearm. He was freed on $50,000 bail Thursday.

USC suspended Justice on Friday. He cannot attend classes for at least two weeks and is ineligible to participate in spring practice, which began Saturday and continues Tuesday. A date for a hearing before a student affairs body has not been set.

In 2001, former USC cornerback Marcell Allmond missed the season after a university panel suspended him for a semester for his role in a series of violent off-the-field incidents. Allmond returned and played in 2002 and 2003.

Justice, a two-year starter who could be an All-America candidate in the upcoming season, said he had not spoken with teammates since he was ruled ineligible for spring practice.

Justice was arrested in June when he allegedly solicited an undercover police officer in a Long Beach prostitution sting. Justice pleaded no contest in July to a misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to three years of summary probation, fined $300 and ordered to undergo HIV testing and attend a court-approved AIDS class.

-- Gary Klein