Without any prompting, Diamond Ferri fired off.

‘I don’t want any stupid questions,’ Ferri said. ‘I’m not answering any stupid questions.’

But this preseason, the questions surrounding Ferri – the Syracuse football team’s strong safety – are more investigative than stupid. Ferri, facing misdemeanor charges of assault and resisting arrest, has already had his court date adjourned twice. So the real question facing Ferri this preseason is: When will this end?

‘We’re hoping another four to six weeks,’ said Gary Sommer, Ferri’s attorney.

Ferri’s case is scheduled to be heard on Sept. 14, but Sommer said he expects to request one more short adjournment before settling the case. If that happened, the saga would end toward the end of the season.

‘Discussions are underway,’ Sommer said. ‘I’m not going to comment on the specifics of the conversations, but there are things to be worked out and discussed.’

Police arrested Ferri on May 24, after he was accused of breaking a man’s nose in a fight in Armory Square.

The police reports stated that Ferri, a 5-foot-10, 218-pounder, fought with police officers and had to be physically subdued. It added that police officers hit Ferri four times with flashlights during the arrest.

The report also said that as Ferri was being led to a police car, his friend, 23-year-old Patrick Cotton, jumped on the officers.

Initially, Ferri’s court date was scheduled for July 15. Sommer adjourned that, however. The next date was scheduled for Aug. 17, but again, the defense asked for an adjournment.

While Ferri admits his case could be postponed until after the season, he plans to finish it as soon as possible.

‘I want to get it over with,’ Ferri said. ‘I don’t want any criminal charges on my record.’

Meanwhile, SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni has said no disciplinary action will be taken until after the process ends.

‘We’re gonna let due process take its course,’ Pasqualoni said, ‘and make a decision from there.’

Ferri says he plans to play in every game this season.

‘But if I miss a game,’ he said, ‘I guess I’ll have to do that.’

Meanwhile, the SU penal code works outside of the judicial process. The university says, ‘(v)iolation of any federal, state, or local law which has a negative impact on the well- being of Syracuse University or its individual members’ is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

Also, under Part 6 of the University Judicial Affairs Handbook 2003-2004, the university may suspend a student while a case is pending if the university ‘determines that an interim suspension is required to promote the safety and well-being of the university community.’

Such a rule could punish Ferri before a ruling is handed down by the city.

‘I’m focused on football right now,’ Ferri said. ‘I’m not even thinking about the other stuff.’

Published on August 29, 2004 at 12:00 pm