Rashard Casey's fate with the legal system was determined yesterday, a Hudson County, N.J., prosecutor said, but court rules won't allow the findings to be released for up to two weeks.

Casey, 22, Penn State's starting quarterback, is charged, along with high school friend Desmond Miller, also 22, with assaulting an off-duty police officer in their hometown of Hoboken, N.J., on May 14.

"It's out of my hands," Casey said earlier this week. "They are doing what they have to do and I am doing what I have to do in school and on the field."

This was the fourth time the grand jury met to address the matter. A decision was expected last week, but that was postponed to allow for more testimony.

"They heard additional evidence today," said Terry Hull, Hudson County first assistant prosecutor. "They've reached a decision, but it won't be released."

A person accused of a crime in New Jersey must go before a grand jury before an indictment may be handed down. Of the 23 grand jurors, at least 12 must vote to either have the case sent to superior court, remanded to municipal court or no-billed, which exonerates the defendant.

When asked what the result of the hearing was, Hull replied, "Nothing that you can release publicly."

The public, Hull said, "will hear about it in a couple of weeks."

When asked if Casey himself, or Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno, would know of the result as of yesterday, Hull said "no," meaning the grand jury findings likely would remain in the prosecutor's office until the office decides to release them.

Last week, when the decision was expected, Hull was quoted as saying that should Casey be indicted, no further comment on the case could be made, at least while it remained open.

However, if the case had been handed down to municipal court, or if it was no-billed, Hull said he would address reporters that afternoon.

Yesterday, Hull said he knew of the result, but could not release it. But he did reiterate the fact that had the case been no-billed or moved to a lower court, he could talk.

"It will not be released," Hull said. "At least not by me."

In the meantime, Paterno is preparing his Lions for Saturday evening's matchup with Indiana.

"I haven't even thought about it," Paterno said of the legal matter. "I can't speculate about things. I haven't got time. If something unforeseen happens, then I'll address it."

Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson also said he knew nothing about what happened in the proceedings.

"When I had left the office, I had not received any official notification," Nelson said.

Casey's lawyer, Dennis McAlevy, did not return phone calls last night.