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UD’s Giordano cleared, rejoins lacrosse team
8:37 a.m., Dec. 19, 2006--University of Delaware junior men's lacrosse player Vincent Giordano has been cleared of all charges stemming from an August arrest in New Jersey, has been readmitted to the University and will resume practicing with the team. In clearing Giordano, prosecutors said the arrest was the result of a case of mistaken identity. Giordano, 21, a two-year letter winner from Moorestown, N.J., will enroll in Winter Session classes and will rejoin the lacrosse team in preparation for the Feb. 10 season opener against St. Joseph's University. Per University of Delaware athletics policy regarding felony arrests, Giordano had been suspended from the program and expelled from the University for the fall semester by the UD Office of Judicial Affairs following the arrest on Aug. 22. He and two other men were charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and bias intimidation following the assault of an off-duty police officer in Sea Isle City, N.J. Giordano had been free on bail since that time. The other men charged, neither of them UD students, were 23-year-old Keith Hoffman of Folcroft, Pa., and 21-year-old Thomas Russo of Lansdowne, Pa. Giordano was originally identified as an accomplice. However, following an investigation, the two admitted to withholding information to protect the third individual in the attack and said that Giordano was not involved. "Vincent was the victim of misidentification created by the friends of an additional suspect in an effort to conceal that person's involvement in the crime,” a representative of the Cape May County prosecutor's office said. “On behalf of the entire Giordano family, we are extremely grateful to our family, friends and community for their overwhelming support of our son Vincent,” Guy Giordano, Vincent Giordano's father, said in a statement released by the family. “Today all charges against Vince were dismissed. The heart wrenching experience of having our son's reputation marred through mistaken identity for a racially biased aggravated assault crime was a hard test of our family's strength and resolve. It is with undeniable relief that Vincent is now reinstated at the University of Delaware and is returning to a life sidetracked four months ago. My wife, Carol, and I want to thank all of Vincent's friends who supported him, especially his teammates on the UD men's lacrosse team and his coaches, Bob Shillinglaw and Greg Carroll, who never doubted Vincent's innocence. Another special thank you to our attorney, Edwin J. Jacobs Jr., whose diligent efforts along with those of the Cape May County prosecutor's office brought the truth to light.” "Our staff is excited to have Vince return to the University of Delaware and to our lacrosse program,” UD Head Coach Bob Shillinglaw said. “As one can imagine, this has been an extremely difficult period of time for both Vince and his family. Our staff never had a doubt regarding his innocence. The Giordanos are a terrific family and have been an intricate part of our program both on and off the field. We are looking forward to Vince's return in January as we begin our preparations for the 2007 season." Giordano is a two-year letter winner for the Fightin' Blue Hens. He scored 15 goals and earned a spot on the Colonial Athletic Association all-rookie team in 2005 and scored 10 goals and had five assists in 2006. |
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