Nebraska Player Wins Insanity Plea in Beating

LINCOLN, Neb. —  University of Nebraska running back Scott Baldwin on Wednesday was found not responsible by reason of insanity in the beating of a woman and the assault of a police officer.

Lancaster County District Judge Paul Merritt set June 24 as the first of what could be several hearings to determine what kind of treatment Baldwin should receive.

The judge said he wants to hear from the three psychiatrists who examined Baldwin and submitted depositions about his mental state.

“I’m not willing to proceed just on depositions. I want to hear from the doctors,” Merritt said.

Baldwin, 22, had been charged with first-degree assault in the Jan. 18 attack on Gina Simanek Mountain of Lincoln. He had also been charged with third-degree assault of Lincoln police officer Greg Sims, who tried to pull the 205-pound football player from the woman.

The judge continued Baldwin’s $10,000 bond, which was posted by an anonymous source several months ago, and ordered him to continue receiving outpatient treatment.

Baldwin, of Roselle, N.J., smiled and spoke to some friends and fellow football players after court was adjourned. He made no public comment.

Mountain, a graphic artist who testified Monday that she has difficulty concentrating and working on details since the attack, left the courtroom without commenting.

Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne and several Cornhusker players were among the 50 people in the courtroom. Osborne said it was premature to discuss Baldwin’s football future.