SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A suspended University of Southern California football player charged with rape in Utah and facing allegations involving the same woman in California was ordered Friday not to contact the alleged victim.
Making his first court appearance for the Utah case, Osa Masina did not speak with reporters covering the event and responded only “Yes, sir” to a judge when asked if he understood the charges. Neither he nor his lawyer objected to the no-contact order.
Masina, 19, is accused of assaulting the woman after she passed out following a July party in Utah, according to charging documents. Los Angeles County prosecutors are also reviewing sexual assault allegations after police handed over the investigation, according to district attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison.
Masina’s lawyer, Greg Skordas, said he does not expect California officials to press charges in that case. Cellphone video of the alleged assault detailed in court documents may end up helping his client, he said.
“There are some things, but they’re not what we’ve all been led to believe,” Skordas said, without offering specifics.