Argos Lineman harged With Sexual Assault

Stephanie Smith, OP Sports Editor

Thursday August 318 Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman Bernard Williams was

arged with sexual assault. Toronto police claim that they began looking into the allegations

lier that same day. Williams is facing accusations that he sexually assaulted a 21-year-old man whom he met at a downtown Toronto nightclub Monday night. He left with the

man and went to the home of one of her friends in Etobicoke where the assault is alleged have occurred. Williams turned himself into police last Thursday morning and was freed on 00,000 bail posted by Argos president Keith Pelley and Argos head coach Mike Clemons fol-

ying a court appearance. His next scheduled court date is to be on September 29, claims the

»tballer’s lawyer, Steve Skurka.

Pelley stated that he and Clemons met with Williams on the morning of September 1st.

e unequivocally told us that his plea of not guilty was incredibly strong and he and his Wwyer plan to fight this vigorously,” claimed Pelley. “Having said that there is no question, it is emotional drain and as he called it, one of the most difficult days of his life.”

Williams flew home to the Atlanta suburb of Jonesboro where he resides in the off-season th his wife. Mike Clemons was reluctant to discuss the implications of the sexual assault arge on his much publicised “Stop the Violence” campaign. The charity effort reaches out to ung people in violence prone communities. “At this moment those things are out of our ntrol,” he said. “His biggest disappointment with himself is putting himself in that situation. e understands he never should have done that.”

Pelley said it could be several months before Williams’ case comes up for trial and most ely not until after the end of the CFL season in November. “Bernard is looking forward to

trial,’ Skurka said. “The Argos have made a commitment to keep him on the team and they e to be commended for that.” In a three-page statement issued by the Argos they claimed at they would cooperate with the police but would comment no further on the case. “We lieve the presumption of innocence as Bernard faces this charge in courts,” the Argos himed.

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San Jose Shark DUI Hit & Run

Stephanie Smith, OP Sports Editor

San Jose Sharks forward Mark Bell was arrested Monday morning on suspicion of drunk driv- ing and felony hit-and-run following an early morning accident during the Labour Day week- end. San Jose police were called to the scene of a two-car accident early Monday according to Sgt. Nick Muyo. San Jose police say Bell rear-ended a pickup truck at a stop sign and then abandoned his own vehicle. Officers located Bell near the scene of the accident and adminis- tered chemical tests. Bell was then arrested and booked into the San Jose County Jail, Muyo said. Bell was later released on $35,000.00 bail.

On Tuesday Bell hired Ken Robinson as his attorney. Robinson said his client is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18, three days after the Sharks open training camp, although that date might still be subject to change. Robinson plans to discuss the case with the district attor- ney’s office later this week. Muyo said the police department wouldn’t yet release results of its chemical tests. The truck driver’s condition wasn’t immediately available, but the injuries he sus- tained weren’t thought to be serious. Bell, who was examined by paramedics, was not injured. Muyo did not disclose Bell’s blood-alcohol level, but said the player was cooperative with offi- cers. Both vehicles sustained heavy damages.

Bell was expected to play alongside NHL MVP Joe Thornton and goal-scoring champion Jonathan Cheechoo on San Jose’s top line this fall. Bell had been in San Jose for at least two weeks, working out and skating with his new teammates in anticipation of training camp. “We are aware of the incident, and it’s not one that our organization takes lightly,” said the Sharks’ president and CEO Greg Jamison. “Mark is an excellent young man. Our organization has always believed in accountability and responsibility for your actions. We are in the process of finding out the details of the situation and will treat this as an internal matter moving forward.”

Douglas Sports Corner Calendar of Upcoming Games

Men’s Basketball:

Away game vs. UBC Thunderbirds. Game takes place in Vancouver Wed. Sept. 27.

Home game vs. SFU Clan. Game takes place in New Westminster Fri. Sept. 29 - 6:00pm. Home game vs. Alumni. Game takes place in New Westminster Sat. Sept. 30 - 7:00pm.

Women’s Basketball:

Home game vs. UCFV Cascades. Game takes place in New Westminster Fri. Sept. 29 4:00pm. Home game vs. Alumni. Game takes place in New Westminster Sat. Sept. 30 - 5:00pm.

Away game vs. TWU Spartans. Game takes place in Langley Thu. Oct. 5 - 6:00pm.

Men’s Soccer:

Away game vs. Maslaspina Mariners. Game takes place in Nanaimo Sat. Sept. 9 - 3:00pm. Away game vs. Capilano Blues. Game takes place in North Vancouver Sun. Sept. 10 - 3:00pm. Away game vs. Kwantlen Eagles. Game takes place in Surrey Sun. Sept. 17 - 2:00pm.

Women’s Soccer:

Away game vs. Malaspina Matiners. Game takes place in Nanaimo Sat. Sept. 9 - 1:00pm. Away game vs. Capilano Blues. Game takes place in North Vancouver Sun, Sept. 10 - 1:00pm. Away game vs. Kwantlen Eagles, Game takes place in Surrey Sun. Sept. 17 - 12:00pm.