By James Crepea | OregonLive.com | February 24, 2023
Traeshon Holden, the wide receiver dismissed from the Oregon football program following his arrest last week, was reinstated following the decision by the Lane County District Attorney's office not to prosecute in light of body camera footage and subsequent interviews that contradicted the initial accounts to and by Eugene police on the night of the incident.
"Following the release of new information from the Lane County District Attorney's office, student-athlete Traeshon Holden has been reinstated to the Oregon football team," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said in a statement Friday afternoon. "We will always take allegations of this nature very seriously. However, when new information is provided by authorities, such as in this instance, disciplinary action will be reevaluated and adjusted, when appropriate."
Holden was arrested by Eugene police shortly after midnight on Feb. 15 on accusations of felony unlawful use of a weapon and coercion and misdemeanor menacing, and was dismissed while still in custody based on the initial accounts by law enforcement.
Lane County deputy district attorney Chris Parosa told The Oregonian/OregonLive that body camera footage reviewed by his office is what led to the decision not to prosecute Holden, who he said made "legitimate attempts to deescalate" a dispute with his girlfriend.
Eugene police responded to calls regarding a domestic dispute and claims of possible shots fired, which was false.
Parosa said the incident "spiraled out of control quickly" and that Holden, who did have a gun, would've had legitimate grounds of self-defense or defense of others. According to Parosa, because the gun was produced and found by police, and based on the accounts they received on the night of the incident, Holden was ultimately arrested, but the initial accounts by several individuals to officers proved contradictory.
"I'm happy to have been exonerated, and I'm looking forward to a great season with the Ducks," Holden said in a statement provided by his lawyer, Jacob Houze.
Holden is entering his fourth-year junior season and expected to compete for a starting job with the Ducks. His reinstatement gives Oregon 92 projected scholarship players, including nine receivers.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Holden had 25 catches for 331 yards and six touchdowns at Alabama last season, and 21 receptions for 239 yards and a score in 2021.
