Garcia to appear in court next week
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A judge decided Wednesday to hear all of the misdemeanor charges against South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia at once, and the highly-touted recruit was expected back in court next week.
Garcia, 19, has been arrested twice in the last few weeks in separate incidents. On Tuesday, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Garcia would not be allowed to participate in spring practice, which begins later this month.
Garcia was arrested Feb. 17 with drunkenness and failure to stop for a police officer. Last Saturday, he turned himself in on charges of malicious injury to personal property.
Arrest warrants said Garcia scratched the car of professor Adam Biggs with a key and caused more than $800 in damage.
Garcia attorney Neal Laurie asked the judge to hear all of the charges March 14, which is the quarterback's next court appearance and the judge agreed.
Garcia, seated with his parents, waited in the courtroom about an hour and would not speak to reporters after the hearing.
His long and flowing hair was trimmed above the shoulder and his face was clean-shaven. He wore a blue blazer and had only brief words with his family until his name was called.
"We're all just trying to get through this," Garcia's father, Gary, said as the family left the courthouse.
Garcia publicly apologized Monday to Biggs, Spurrier, his teammates, the university and Gamecock fans. "I do not make any excuses for my conduct. I am committed to changing my behavior and making positive contributions to the community," Garcia said in his statement.
Garcia was one of the country's top quarterback prospects and gave up his spring semester at high school to get a jump on learning Spurrier's offense.
Instead, he was suspended from spring practice and all team activities this semester.
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