Former UCF wide receiver Rocky Ross called former teammates who went to ESPN and talked to the media about the practice Ereck Plancher had taken part in before he died “cowards” Tuesday, during the wrongful death trial that has put UCF football under the microscope.
Watch: Ross Call former Teammates Cowards:
Ross was called by the defendant, UCF Athletics Association Inc., as a witness and he testified how there were water and trainers present and available to players.
The plaintiff pointed out how Ross is a paid employee of the defendant and how other players testified differently.
Exclusive: KnightNews.com Legal Analyst Discusses Ross’s Testimony:
KnightNews.com invited its legal analyst, Orlando attorney Lisa Figueroa, to watch part of Ross’s testimony. She explained why some portions of his testimony might not go over well with the jury.
“It seems clear you dont go outside the team,” Figueroa said. “He made it seem what happens in the family, stays in the family — you dont go air your problems with ESPN, you come to us. But what does that really mean? It’s not clear.”
Figueroa explained how what Ross said in court — and calling his teammates cowards for going public with what he said were lies about what happened during practice — could raise questions in the minds of the jurors.
“Does it mean regardless of right or wrong, fair or unfair, our business is our business and leave your morals at home?” Figueroa asked.
“Or is it simply team spirit at its peak,” she added, meaning the players testifying against the Planchers “just didn’t see anything wrong here” and saw no need to go to the press because, based on their accounts, O’Leary didn’t do anything wrong.
“Bottom line is that it is going to be the jury’s job to make the call as to whether or not the team was out of bounds in its actions or inactions,” Figueroa said.
KnightNews.com has been providing live streaming coverage of the Plancher trial every day. We expect a verdict by the end of the week — possibly Thursday — and will carry it live on KnightNews.com as it happens.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Coach O’Leary | Day 10: Dr. Eichner; Chris Watters; Dr. Spitz | Robby Jackson, UCFAA Objects Too Late | Day 6: Anthony Davis | Keith Tribble | Cody Minnich | More coming
The stream will replay until live testimony starts again each day.
