Ex-Lion Young misses pre-trial hearing for 'personal reasons'

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young was absent for a pre-trial hearing in Orange County this morning for "personal reasons," explained his lawyer.

A bench warrant for Young's arrest was issued by a judge and held, meaning he will remain free unless he fails to show for a pre-trial hearing July 2 in Superior Court.

Young faces 11 charges for crimes ranging from attempted burglary to assault on a peace officer stemming from a May arrest for breaking into an Orange County residence.

The former Boise State wide receiver, released by the Lions this offseason before being claimed and quickly released again by the Rams, was arrested three times in two southern California counties in the span of a week in May.

His attorney, Altus Hudson II, says Young is undergoing psychiatric treatment and currently in a safe place. Young's attorney and father have attributed the wideout's troubles to a mental disorder allegedly stemming from concussions suffered during Young's career, which Young's attorney says may be used as a defense. Hudson says he knew Young would be unavailable for Monday's hearing as early as Friday.

Judge Andre Manssourian, whom Young ignored by remaining silent while being questioned at a May hearing in the same court, met with Hudson for five minutes in private on Monday before issuing and holding the warrant.

Orange County Deputy District Attorney Susan Laird said the judge was apparently satisfied with the reason for Young's absence.

"If the court didn't think there was a good reason [for Young missing the pre-trial hearing], he would have issued the warrant directly," Laird told reporters.

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