Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Va. Tech QB Vick suspended after arrest
Hurricanes' top recruit pleased to get probation
The Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was suspended indefinitely from the team Tuesday, the same day it was revealed he was charged with reckless driving and possession of marijuana.
The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Hokies star Michael Vick was charged after an early-morning traffic stop Saturday, state police said. He was convicted in May of three misdemeanors stemming from a drinking party with three underage girls.
The school said the latest charge prompted the indefinite suspension. Officials revealed Tuesday that Vick and two others convicted in May had been suspended for the first three games of the season.
He was stopped by a state trooper early Saturday morning on an interstate about 25 miles east of Richmond. Vick, 20, was clocked on radar at 86 mph, 21 mph above the speed limit, state police spokesman Gary B. Payne said.
"As a result of the traffic stop, he also was charged with possession of marijuana," Payne said, adding that both charges are misdemeanors.
In May, Vick was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $2,250 on three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he and two teammates gave alcohol to 14- and 15-year-old girls at the players' apartment.
Tailback Mike Imoh, 19, was sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $750. Wide receiver Brenden Hill, 19, was sentenced to 20 days in jail and fined $1,500.
On Tuesday, Tech athletic director Jim Weaver revealed that all three players had been suspended for the first three games.
Vick has appealed his conviction and sentence to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
MIAMI HURRICANES: Top recruit Willie Williams, 19, was placed on probation for the second time in two weeks under conditions that his lawyers believe will help him get admitted to the school.
He could have faced up to a year in jail, but the prosecution didn't request jail time.
"I just feel so great right now," the player said. "I feel magnificent. Words can't express what this means to me."
Williams must perform 250 hours of community service for three years for violating probation for a store burglary and is banned from drinking alcohol and taking any unprescribed drugs. He'll be subject to random testing.
Williams' lawyers said it was important to the school that the player will not have a felony conviction, and the judge agreed.
Defense attorney Paul Lazarus said he's "extremely optimistic" Miami will accept Williams. Another lawyer for Williams, Bradford Cohen, said he expects the university to hold a hearing within two weeks.
Miami athletic director Paul Dee said now that Williams' sentence is known, the school will determine whether to admit him.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker starred at Carol City High School in Miami. He was named an All-American by Parade magazine and the No. 2-ranked high school player in the country by SuperPrep magazine after last season.
"I don't believe you're a lost cause," Judge Michael Kaplan said. "I think you've got some promise, and I don't think the thing to do is put you in jail."
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL: A player pistol-whipped another student during an on-campus robbery attempt, and when the victims tried to drive away, a player shot out a window of their car, according to a police report Tuesday.
Everett Baker, 20, was charged with attempted murder for firing into an occupied car. He also was charged with two counts of armed robbery, possession of a weapon on school grounds and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, all felonies.
Two other players, Randy Arnold, 20, and Diamos DeMerritt, 21, also were charged with six felonies for the attempted robbery. Two other suspects remained at large.
Baker, Arnold and DeMerritt were being held without bond at a Miami-Dade County jail. Their next hearing is set for July 26.
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