Police/Legal Blotter

[BB73]

si.com

Cougars tackle sentenced

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) -- Washington State starting defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua will spend two days in jail after pleading guilty to an alcohol-related driving offense.

Pitoitua, 20, had 73 days of a 75-day term suspended after pleading guilty Thursday in Whitman County District Court to operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol, and a related probation violation.

The 6-foot-8, 300-pound tackle from Spanaway asked to serve the sentence outside Whitman County. He has 30 days to arrange that with a probation officer before beginning the jail term.
Pitoitua also was fined $750 and will be on probation for two years.

The sentence stems from incidents in April, when he was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol, and May 7, when he was arrested for driving after consuming alcohol.

Pitoitua played eight games as a true freshman last season, finishing with 24 tackles and five sacks.

Pitoitua was the second Cougar football player in court in Whitman County during the week.

On Monday, running back Kevin McCall was sentenced to 45 days in jail after pleading guilty to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.

Coach Bill Doba issued a statement Thursday about McCall's prospects with the team.

"This is an unfortunate situation for both Kevin and the young woman involved," Doba said. "When Kevin has finished serving his sentence, I will speak with him and make a decision regarding his status with the Cougar football team."

[sandgk]

The victim of a 2003 assault has revived the Civil suit he previously avowed to dismiss.

Jackson sued for $10M

Victim from 2003 incident says he's been unable to work
Saturday, May 28, 2005BY NATHAN FENNO

News Sports Reporter An Ypsilanti man is suing former University of Michigan football player Marlin Jackson for $10 million over a 2003 altercation.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, Shahin Farokhrany alleges he's suffered permanent vision loss, mental and physical anguish, and "general damages in the millions of dollars" after the June 1, 2003 incident.

Jackson, who was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts last month, pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor aggravated assault on Aug. 14, 2003 as part of a plea agreement and was later sentenced to probation. The charge stemmed from a party where Jackson admitted to hitting Farokhrany in the right eye, but denied hitting him with a bottle, as Farokhrany claimed.


After the August hearing, Farokhrany expressed a desire to move on.

"I love Michigan football and I'm proud of him," Farokhrany told reporters. "One day I'll see him in the NFL or something. Sometimes, people get drunk and make mistakes. Hopefully, he won't be hitting people in the face again."

Farokhrany also told reporters after the 2003 hearing that he didn't suffer any permanent damage to his vision and would not pursue civil action against Jackson.

But the lawsuit again contends that Jackson hit Farokhrany with a bottle, and Farokhrany has needed continued medical care, has been limited in attending school and has been unable to work since the incident.

Jackson's agent, Doug Hendrickson of Octagon, could not be reached for comment.

A message left for Farokhrany's attorney, Michael Behan, was not returned.

Nathan Fenno can be reached at nfenno@annarbornews.com or (734) 994-6835

There goes Marlin's signing bonus.

[Southpaw Stone]

Originally Posted by sandgk

There goes Marlin's signing bonus.

I wonder if he would be suing him if he never made it to the NFL.

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by Southpaw Stone

I wonder if he would be suing him if he never made it to the NFL.

Nope, seems doubtful, as you can't get blood out of a stone.

If Jackson fails to make his squad, does the suit get dropped?

[sandgk]

Guess with 11 arrested in such a short period even FF Phil Fulmer had to draw the line somewhere. The Whizzinator like dope test failure was indeed the last straw.
Source Shelbyville Paper.

Parker: Banks denied another chance

DANNY PARKER
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Recently former University of Tennessee wide receiver James Banks asked for yet another chance at lining up in orange and white. Not surprisingly, UT coach Phil Fulmer and athletic director Mike Hamilton shot down the idea before it ever really even got started.

The fact that Banks re-enrolled in school this spring at a small Division III school in his home state of Indiana to get his grades up and become eligible is a step in the right direction.

<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="4" width="91"><tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#eeeeee">
UT coach Phillip Fulmer passed on James Banks' attempts at getting re-instated to the football team. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] </td></tr></tbody></table>He probably needs football along with an education to get him back on the proper track. That track doesn't run through Knoxville, though.

A star quarterback at Indianapolis' Ben Davis High, he continually lived on the edge when he was still on the Vol roster.

Banks, who was arrested for underage drinking and violating a noise ordinance, had charges filed against him but later dropped in both cases.

Is it really that hard to wait till you are 21-years-old to start drinking? If a cop tells you to turn your car stereo down, you don't respond by pumping up the volume.

Goodness, James, if you wanted to hear music that loud, you could have just done some two-stepping at Cotton Eyed Joe's.

On his last leg in the fall, shortly after being suspended for the first part of the 2004 season, Banks blew his knee out in practice.

That was the beginning of the end as the extra time just sitting around led back to marijuana use, as he admitted.

I'm not sure how they rehabilitate in Indy, but typically narcotics don't regenerate knee ligaments or enhance the healing process in any way.

Fulmer dismissed Banks in December after Banks' seemingly fourth or fifth chance. No tellin' how many other instances Fulmer didn't go public with.

<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="4" width="150"><tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#eeeeee">
James Banks hauls in a pass during Media Day last year. (T-G Photo by Ben Boggess)
[Click to enlarge] </td></tr></tbody></table>With the number of UT football players who have been either arrested or cited since February 2004 up to 11, no one in Knoxville is in position to hand out sixth chances.

It's more of a "Thanks for coming out, God bless, good luck," sort of thing at this point.

Current Vols should take note of the life Banks created for himself and keep their noses in the books and facing the gridiron. Chances like these don't come around often.

I hope that Daniel Brooks, Britton Colquitt, Bret Smith and Tony McDaniel are listening.

Part of the reason history is recorded and taught is so we don't repeat past mistakes.

How many stars you had next to your name in high school and the number of college touchdowns become irrelevant once you cross the line for a big-time school like UT. Note Reggie Cobb, Nilo Silvan, Chuck Webb, Tony Robinson and Onterrio Smith, just to name a few.

Never fear though, James, there's always the National Football League. If you're as talented as some say you are or were, then you'll get your shot. All of the aforementioned, with the exception of Robinson, got their lottery tickets punched by NFL teams.

Banks does appear to be trying. He's back in school. He's at least wanting to put his past behind him and strap on gear again. Others would sit around and whine about how they blew it or were culturally biased upon.

If he can catch Hail Marys in the end zone in Gainesville, he can find a home somewhere.

Danny Parker is a Times-Gazette sports writer.

And from Knoxville TV station this report summary which includes the tale of Banks failing a urine test after submitting a diluted sample, with the wrong temperature...

[jwinslow]

(CFB News)

ACC

North Carolina
2004 Nebraska starting QB Joe Dailey has transferred to UNC; Dailey, who left the Huskers after having been bumped down on the depth chart, will have to sit out the 2005 season due to the transfer, but will still have two years of eligibility remaining … Durham Herald-Sun … Raleigh News & Observer

Big XII

Oklahoma State
Senior starting CB Vernon Grant lost his life this past Monday night after the vehicle he was driving was involved in an accident near Dallas … Daily Oklahoman … Daily Oklahoman

Big Ten

Ohio State
Junior backup DL Tim Schafer was cited for disorderly conduct this past weekend after being involved in a scuffle outside a Columbus bar … Dayton Daily News … Cleveland Plain Dealer

Purdue
Freshman LB Kyle Williams, who signed with Iowa last year but failed to meet academic standards, has now been declared eligible by the Big Ten; Williams is not expected to take a redshirt for the Boilers’ this season … Indianapolis Star

Mountain West

Colorado State
Head coach Sonny Lubick has been publicly reprimanded by the MWC after voicing his displeasure over the rescheduling of his team’s contest with Air Force … Denver Post … Rocky Mountain News

Pac-10

Southern California
Heisman Trophy winning QB Matt Leinart threw the football this week for the first time since his January elbow surgery; According to his father and his personal trainer, Leinart did not experience any discomfort … Sophomore RB Chauncey Washington, who has been declared academically ineligible, is considering a transfer, but has yet to ask for a release … L.A. Times … L.A. Daily News … Orange County Register

Washington State
Sophomore backup RB Kevin McCall was sentenced to 45 days in jail after pleading guilty to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation; The sentence was the result of an incident that took place in March … Seattle Post Intelligencer … Seattle Times

SEC

LSU
Sophomore backup FB Shawn Jordan was suspended from the team late last week after being charged with attempting to bring anabolic steroids across the border from Mexico … Baton Rouge Advocate … New Orleans Times-Picayune

South Carolina
Junior starting WR Noah Whiteside, who has been rehabbing a dislocated ankle since suffering the injury during the Gamecocks’ spring game, may possibly be ready to play in the Sept. 1 season-opener … The State

Tennessee
Athletics Director Mike Hamilton dispelled any speculation that former QB/WR James Banks would be returning to the Vols’ program; Banks, who was dismissed from the team late last year, had contacted head coach Phil Fulmer about the possibility of returning … The Tennessean

[BuckWrestler141]

If this is old, sorry.

Who is going to pick him up... NC State? Or do they only take our trash? ha
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2074412

Wright arrested in March on suspicion of rape
<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> Associated Press
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<!-- begin text11 div --><!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline --> LOS ANGELES -- Cornerback Eric Wright left Southern California amid possible disciplinary action by the school following an arrest on suspicion of rape.

"Eric came to the conclusion that it would be in his best interests to withdraw from school," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We agreed and support his decision."

Wright was arrested March 26 at a campus apartment by officers investigating reports of an assault. He was booked for investigation of rape and posted $100,000 bail.

In April, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office declined to press criminal charges against Wright because of insufficient evidence. But the 19-year-old redshirt freshman from San Francisco was scheduled to meet with school disciplinary officials June 15.

The district attorney's office said 136 pills of the drug Ecstasy were found in Wright's room at an apartment he shared with another player near campus.

Wright started four games last season and intercepted two passes -- the second during USC's 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl that gave the Trojans the national championship. He was expected to start next season.

Wright's plans were not known. If he transfers to another Division I program, he will have to sit out a season before becoming eligible to play.

[BB73]

This is no surprise. After they suspended Winston Justice last year for the entire season because of the pellet gun incident, I was sure that USC would give him the boot. I'm no fan of the Trojans, but it's good to see them do the right thing.

[BuckWrestler141]

It was still kind of a suprise to me. I expected him to miss a season, but having already used his redshirt year up, I figured he'd just take his year suspension and stay.

[jwinslow]

There was very little chance that this situation would not result in a lost player. I wouldn't call this any more admirable tho than when we kicked LI off the team. But at least it's behind them now.

[lvbuckeye]

how the hell do you get caught with 135 Ecstasy pills, and not get charged? i hate X... it killed one of my friends...

[edbuck51]

They already lost Manuel Wright (DL) to the supplemental draft. He was flunking out of school and decided to try and get in the league. Lendale White and Dominic Byrd are both struggling academically. Byrd will likely make it and White says not to worry. If they lose him, it would be a very tough loss.

After losing Patterson, Cody, Groutegood, Tatupu, and now Wright X 2, this is going to be a much different team. Especially with five assistants gone from last year. I really don't know why everyone is picking them as number one, those are a lot of changes to go through with that big bullseye on your back.

[BB73]

Originally Posted by lvbuckeye

how the hell do you get caught with 135 Ecstasy pills, and not get charged? i hate X... it killed one of my friends...

lv, From what I recall, the pills were in his room and he had a roommate. They couldn't really prove that they were his.

[BB73]

Boise St. player charged with 3 counts of vehicular manslaugher, leaving the scene

idahostatesman.com
Boise State football player Cam Hall was charged with three counts of felony vehicular manslaughter Tuesday in connection with a May 7 traffic wreck that killed an Eagle family.

Hall, 22, agreed to turn himself in to the Ada County Jail after prosecutors issued an arrest warrant Tuesday morning. Hall had to turn himself in to the jail by 3 a.m. today in order to make his initial court appearance. At that appearance, a judge will determine whether Hall can go free on bond, and how much that bond will be.

The vehicular manslaughter charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years each. The charges have put Hall's football career in jeopardy; he was immediately suspended from the BSU football team Tuesday after charges were filed.

Hall also is charged with leaving the scene of the fatal accident, a felony. Investigators said he didn't stop after the crash, went to work and didn't talk to investigators until hours later, after he first called BSU coach Dan Hawkins.

Also Tuesday, Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower said test results showed that Mark Lazinka and Tony Perfect had been drinking. Lazinka, who also is charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter, was legally drunk, Bower said.

Perfect, who died along with his wife and infant daughter, was close to the legal limit. But Bower said a review of evidence and witness reports led him to conclude that Perfect's consumption of alcohol was not a significant factor in the crash.

Ada County prosecutors examined evidence for three weeks before deciding to charge Hall with the felonies for his role in an accident deputies say was fueled by "road rage" between Hall and Lazinka on Idaho 55.

Deputies say Lazinka and Hall were southbound on Idaho 55 at more than 100 mph around 7:30 p.m. May 7 when Tony Perfect attempted to turn north onto the highway from Beacon Light Road. Hall narrowly avoided hitting Perfect; Lazinka's pickup struck the Perfects'. Perfect, his wife, Stephanie, and 5-week-old Zoe were killed instantly, according to sheriff's reports.

Jon Cox, Hall's attorney, said Hall has cooperated with investigators, including surrendering his car for tests and sitting down for two interviews with detectives.

Hall is a BSU senior from Kennewick, Wash., majoring in psychology.

"Cam has done everything they have asked him to do ... and now we are just following through with the process," Cox said. He said Hall is doing "OK" as he struggles to deal with the aftermath of the incident.

"He's still dealing with the loss of three people," Cox said. "To be even remotely involved in that type of tragedy, and with the pending charges on top of that ... it's been difficult. Cam does have a lot of support from his family."

Lazinka was arrested and jailed May 9. He remains in the Ada County Jail on $150,000 bond. Lazinka could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for each charge of vehicular manslaughter — five years more than the charges against Hall because prosectors say Lazinka was legally intoxicated.

Lazinka suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Pat Owen said Tuesday it took about three weeks to charge Hall because prosecutors wanted to be thorough in processing evidence from the crash and interviewing multiple witnesses along what was essentially a 5-mile-long crime scene. They also wanted to research the law on drivers who might be involved in a fatal accident but not in the actual collision.

"We wanted to make sure we had a good understanding what happened out there — quite a number of people had watched portions of what they were doing," Owen said. "We had to be really certain what (Hall's) role was."

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[lvbuckeye]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeBill73

lv, From what I recall, the pills were in his room and he had a roommate. They couldn't really prove that they were his.

then charge them BOTH... 136 pills at $20 a pop equals nearly $3,000 worth of highly DANGEROUS narcotics... you can't even compare this to E Haw: no one ever ODed on pot, Ecstacy is a PROVEN KILLER... something's rotten in Denmark...

edit:
the article stated that the X was found in HIS room at the apartment that he shared with another player... his room, his drugs, no doubt about it...