In direct contrast to earlier testimony of three former University of Central Florida players, three other players and an assistant coach testified on Tuesday that head coach George O'Leary never ordered water and athletic trainers be removed from practice the day Ereck Plancher died. Former UCF captain Rocky Ross and current running back Ronnie Walker both testified that water was available, and Weaver even said he received water from a trainer during the practice, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel:
Ereck Plancher Trial: George O’Leary Never Ordered That Water Be Removed, Three Players Testify
“Water and trainers are always available in the indoor and any training that we do at all times,” Weaver said. “There are water fountains at the back of the indoor and they’re on at all times. The water crates are there at all times, and they’re always filled.”
Plancher collapsed and died after offseason conditioning drills on March 18, 2008. His family is suing the UCFAA and accusing them of gross negligence. The prosecution rested their case on Monday after Plancher’s mother, Gisele, read the final Mother’s Day card her son ever gave her.
The UCFAA has maintained that Plancher died of an undiagnosed heart condition and that no one was at fault. The prosecution has charged that he died from complications from a sickle-cell trait and that his death could have been avoided if UCFAA staff had properly monitored players.
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