Inside The Panthers

Update on Former Pitt Star's Court Case

Former Pitt Panthers star Paris Ford is still awaiting his preliminary hearing.

Stephen Thompson

Dec 26, 2019; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Paris Ford (12) flexes
Dec 26, 2019; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Paris Ford (12) flexes / Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers safety Paris Ford has a new date for his preliminary hearing as he faces multiple felony charges and a misdemeanor.

Ford, who turned himself into authorities on the morning of March 27 after Pittsburgh police issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with an incident in Clariton last month, was scheduled to attend his preliminary hearing on April 9, but it has now been continued to May 14, according to court documents.

Ford faces four charges - one third degree felony for discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, one first degree felony for aggravated assault, one second degree felony for aggravated assault and a second degree misdemeanor for recklessly endangering another person. These charges are connected to an incident that occurred on March 15.

After the fact, police said Ford was involved in the incident and that they had identified him through witness interviews and surveillance video. Allegheny County Police posted on Facebook on March 26 outlining their account of the incident and saying they were searching for Ford.

After turning himself in, Ford's bail was set at $50,000 which he was unable to post, according to the criminal docket outlining his case. He was released on a surety bond later that day.

Ford was a star on the field for the Panthers during his time in school. He arrived as a four-star recruit, one of the highest-rated to ever commit to a Pat Narduzzi-coached team. Midway through his second standout year as a starter, he declared for the NFL Draft. Ford went undrafted but signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He was released from the Rams and spent a pair of successful years with the New Jersey Generals of the XFL before that league merged with the USFL and became the UFL.

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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