DKSuddeth
Senior Member
Md. Judge Acquits College Football Player
OCEAN CITY, Md. - A judge, while acknowledging he believed a college football player was "guilty as sin," acquitted him of charges related to a run-in with police after a lawyer argued that a conviction could end the player's career.
Gregory D. Powell, 20, was charged with assaulting police and disorderly conduct after a June disturbance at a motel where police had ordered underage drinkers to pour out their beer.
Powell's attorney told Judge R. Patrick Hayman during the non-jury trial that a conviction or probation could end Powell's career as a wide receiver at the University of Maryland.
"Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have," Hayman told the defendant Monday. "And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I'm going to find you not guilty."
Powell admitted cursing at an officer and leaving the motel room after police entered. Officers then used pepper spray on Powell and said he was under arrest. Afterward, Powell fought with officers and tried to run, police said.
A spokesman for Maryland's football program said Powell was likely to face disciplinary action, but the charges had not kept him out of preseason practices.
OCEAN CITY, Md. - A judge, while acknowledging he believed a college football player was "guilty as sin," acquitted him of charges related to a run-in with police after a lawyer argued that a conviction could end the player's career.
Gregory D. Powell, 20, was charged with assaulting police and disorderly conduct after a June disturbance at a motel where police had ordered underage drinkers to pour out their beer.
Powell's attorney told Judge R. Patrick Hayman during the non-jury trial that a conviction or probation could end Powell's career as a wide receiver at the University of Maryland.
"Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have," Hayman told the defendant Monday. "And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I'm going to find you not guilty."
Powell admitted cursing at an officer and leaving the motel room after police entered. Officers then used pepper spray on Powell and said he was under arrest. Afterward, Powell fought with officers and tried to run, police said.
A spokesman for Maryland's football program said Powell was likely to face disciplinary action, but the charges had not kept him out of preseason practices.