LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The pressure is mounting for the charges against the world’s top golfer Scottie Scheffler to be dropped.
Sources with direct knowledge told WAVE News Troubleshooters that both the officer involved, Detective Bryan Gillis, and Scheffler’s team believe it would be best for everyone if the charges don’t proceed.
They mutually acknowledge, sources said, that it was a chaotic situation and that they both want to move on. Sources added they’ve both expressed that the focus should be on ensuring John Mills, the man who died in a crash that morning, is remembered.
So far, Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell has made no decisions on how, or if they will pursue the case. On Thursday, his office provided a statement as they continue to gather all the information needed and review it as necessary.
“The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office has continued to receive evidence and has yet to conduct final interviews with investigators regarding the charges filed by LMPD against Mr. Scheffler,” Josh Abner, a spokesman for the office said.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said during a press conference on Thursday that his office has been asked by O’Connell’s to refrain from releasing any other videos or evidence in the case until the court procedure is over.
Greenberg released two videos shortly after the press conference but neither show the actual incident or exchange between Scheffler and Gillis.
Greenberg did not specify what other evidence there is, but several sources have told WAVE Troubleshooters of video captured moments after Scheffler’s arrest. In that video, sources say Scheffler acknowledged that he shouldn’t have driven off and that his decision was stupid. However, he claimed he did so because he became concerned when Gillis, who he did not know was a cop, put his hands on him.
Sources added that Scheffler was looking for a police officer to help him when Gillis got up off the ground and came back to him.
According to the citation, Scheffler drove off, dragging the officer with him. Sources said Gillis was just trying to stop someone who he thought could have possibly hurt pedestrians unloading from a nearby bus.
Even if the County Attorney’s Office decides to proceed with the felony charge of assault on an officer for the alleged dragging, the final decision to proceed with the charge won’t be up to O’Connell. Within 10 days of Scheffler’s arraignment, a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to support a felony charge during a probable cause hearing.
At that time, the judge could amend or dismiss the charges. If the judge does find there is enough probable cause, then the case would fall into the hands of the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and a grand jury. The commonwealth’s prosecutor could make a recommendation to the grand jury at that time to proceed with the felony- or drop the charge.
In the meantime, sources say Gillis has been doxed, meaning his personal information has been circulated on the internet. They told WAVE Troubleshooters Gillis, a DUI crash investigator who has saved lives from drunk drivers, has received threats, hate mail and voicemails from all over the country.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office told WAVE News they are watching what the County Attorney’s Office decides, for now.
“Any prosecution effort requires the proper procedures for the most fair, equitable, and just outcome. Since our office is not yet in a position to consider prosecution in this case, we are not in a position to provide any assessment of this case or possible next steps,” they said. “As with any cases that begin in District Court and are under the prosecution efforts of the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, we will reserve any comment for those circumstances where we become the agency formally tasked with prosecution of a defendant.”
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