Jim Leavitt cleared of domestic violence and theft charges

In St. Petersburg, Florida, the former University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt was arrested following an argument with an ex-girlfriend at an apartment complex last month. Originally charged with felony grand theft and misdemeanor counts of simple battery and domestic battery, the charges arose after the woman accused him of grabbing her arm and taking her belongings valued at over $5,000. Following a meticulous investigation, prosecutors determined that the facts and circumstances did not support prosecution. A court filing indicated that the case was dismissed on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to warrant charges against Leavitt at this time, although no further details were disclosed. Leavitt, aged 68, was the first head coach of the USF football program, which began in 1997. He achieved notable success, including leading the Bulls to a No. 2 national ranking in 2007, and maintains a record as the winningest coach in the team's history. Nonetheless, he faced significant controversy in 2010 when he was fired after being found to have struck a player. Despite the recent charges being dropped, the incident raises questions about public perceptions of domestic violence and the legal consequences associated with such incidents. The dismissal of the case has led to discussions around accountability and the implications of the investigation process.