It kind of slipped through the cracks, but late last week, Centre Country District Attorney Michael Madeira announced that he would not appeal a decision by judge Charles C. Brown, Jr., to throw out five of the seven charges against Penn State’s star safety Anthony Scirrotto.

This may sound like additional good news for Scirrotto, who was the central figure in an off-campus melee at an apartment that allegedly involved as many as 20 Nittany Lions. But if you read between the lines of what Madeira said, it sure sounds like he is more determined than ever to successfully prosecute the West Deptford, N.J., native, on the remaining charges, including a felony count of criminal trespass and a summary harassment charge.

“It was not an easy decision to make,” Madeira told the Centre Daily Times. “I recognize, however, that justice delayed is justice denied, and Mr. Scirrotto still faces a serious felony charge.”

Unless there is some sort of plea agreement, Scirrotto is scheduled to go on trial sometime during the heart of PSU’s 2007 season. In the meantime, Scirrotto is starting and playing for the Lions.