MSU players plead to lesser charge

[Greenhead22]

April 28, 2006


Players plead to lesser charge
MSU coach has yet to decide whether to lift "indefinite" suspension

By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University football coach Sylvester Croom said he will use the weekend to decide whether to lift the "indefinite" suspension of six players who pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor assault.

The players had been charged with felony assault on a police officer.

The players, all freshmen, are cornerback Derek Pegues and safety Keith Fitzhugh, both starters; offensive tackle Michael Gates, quarterback Tray Rutland, and defensive ends Charles Burns and Quinton Wesley.

The six were charged April 2 with assaulting Starkville police officer Demetric Armstead, who was off duty, during a fight at a downtown business.

A hearing had been scheduled for Monday.

If the players were found guilty of the felony, they would have faced a maximum five years in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

Instead, each paid a $500 fine and received six-month suspended sentences on the reduced charge.

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome," said their attorney, Jay Perry of Starkville. "These guys and their families are extremely relieved to have this behind them."

The players were not available for comment.

Starkville Police Chief David Lindley and Oktibbeha County prosecuting attorney Roy Carpenter did not return messages seeking comment.

Croom said he will make his decision in time for the Bulldogs first game in August.

Croom suspended the players the day after they were arrested and withheld them from the Maroon & White spring football game several days later. He also administered other disciplinary measures, including an 11 p.m. curfew and on-campus sensitivity training.

Croom would not say Thursday if the players will be allowed to play when State opens the season Aug. 31 against South Carolina in Starkville in a game scheduled to be televised nationally by cable network ESPN.

MSU spokesman Mike Nemeth said Croom will release a statement next week.

In his only in-depth comments about the incident earlier this spring, Croom said the situation developed because players did not walk away from the altercation.

"These things happen, but you can see them coming before they occur," Croom said then. "You can avoid these situations or diffuse them as quickly as possible. That's what did not happen and why the incident took place."

According to their lawyer, the players did learn.

"I want to emphasize that all of them are ... regretful for putting themselves, their families, their team, their coaches, and their university in an uneasy situation," Perry said. "I think it's safe to say that each of them has learned important lessons in conflict situations."

[dawg-n-duck]

Damn you ... I was trying to post that, just thiking that I would before you did. $#!+ cant ever beat your ass

[Greenhead22]

[Po Monkey Lounger]

What a shocker!!!. I never saw that coming.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Over/under on the proposed possible one game suspension for the "Starkville 6 Gang"?? I say under ---no suspension at all for any of them. They will all be fully rehabilitated after a summer of anger management under ol "Pistol Whip" Bullard.

[rebelduckaholic]

Under

They will have plenty of " in house " sanctions

[duckkiller]

Well I dont really care what happens to them, I am a dier hard baseball fan and dont get into football but I have a question, the guys were at a sorrority party right? well then at all of the frat/sorrority party's I have been to everyone was drinking(both leagle and non leagle) well my point is if they guy saw a minor drinking would he have issued a ticket? if not then why should he be treated like a on duty officer?

[rebelduckaholic]

The fact remains the 6 FOOTBALL players still beat a cop down

[duckkiller]

Yeah U are right but he wasn't a cop that night. If he was a cop he should have been writing tickets for all the MIP's he was seeing that night.

[mottlet]

Yeah U are right but he wasn't a cop that night. If he was a cop he should have been writing tickets for all the MIP's he was seeing that night.

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Off-duty cops arent' cops?

mottlet

[rebelduckaholic]

Once you are a cop you are a cop. Thats like saying you can go shoot the prez when he is on vacation.

[duckkiller]

Thats right once a cop always a cop but act like a cop at all times meaning if you see someone driving drunk stop them, if you see a minor drinking stop them did he do any of that?