Nebraska Running Back to Sit Out Season

Nebraska running back Scott Baldwin, found not responsible by reason of insanity in January assaults of a Lincoln woman and a police officer, will not play football this year, his attorneys said. Baldwin appeared before Lancaster County District Judge Paul Merritt on Wednesday for an evaluation hearing in connection with the Jan. 17 assault on Gina Simanek Mountain and police officer Greg Sims.

During the morning portion of the session aimed at helping to determine potential treatment, Baldwin’s attorney, Hal Anderson, said Baldwin would not play this fall. He said the decision was reached by the player, his family, his doctors and coaches.

However, the junior from Roselle, N.J., is asking the NCAA for a medical hardship, which would give him the option of another year of eligibility, Anderson said.

During a recess, Anderson read a prepared statement in which he said Baldwin wanted to convey his apologies and regrets to everyone who had suffered as a result of the episode, specifically Mountain, who suffered severe head injuries in the attack.

“He can only hope and pray that . . . everyone will find in their hearts a way to forgive him,” Anderson said.

Bruce Gutnik, an Omaha psychiatrist, testified Baldwin had a disorder that caused his moods to swing beyond his control. He testified that no one could guarantee Baldwin would not have another violent episode.