Benjamin charges could drop

By JEFF GREER

Pitt basketball player Keith Benjamin and Pitt graduate student Ashley Olczak could have… Pitt basketball player Keith Benjamin and Pitt graduate student Ashley Olczak could have their charges for simple assault dropped if they proceed without incident for the next 30 days, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Saturday.

Neither side wanted to press charges.

If the two parties simply stay away from one another, all charges will be dropped, a Pitt athletics department spokesman said.

Benjamin, an administration of justice major, and Olczak were arrested just after midnight on April 13 by the Pittsburgh city police. The pair was involved in a domestic dispute over a pair of car keys, according to the criminal complaint.

The dispute took place outside of 111 Hyman Place, located between Burrows Street and Oak Hill Drive in northwest Oakland near the Hill District.

Benjamin, a 6-2, 190-pound guard from Mt. Vernon, N.Y., averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 rebounds a game in the 2006-2007 season for the Panthers. He played in all 37 games and should receive significant minutes next season.