Florida State QB to go to court on Wednesday

Dante · Jun 4, 2003

Summary: McPherson goes to trial
The much talked about court case of Adrian McPherson will take place on Wednesday and people are expecting a media circus to surround it. The 20-year old Florida Quarterback is charged with illegal gambling, which is a misdemeanour crime in Florida

However the consequences if he is evicted are far worse. It would almost certainly ruin his football career. The NCAA handbook spells out the penalties for college athletes gambling. The consequences range from partial to permanent loss of eligibility.

McPherson' has maintained his innocence throughout. It is claimed that McPherson was betting as much as $1,000 a time. With illegal bookmakers and that he owed an alleged bookmaker, Derek Delach, a former local bartender, as much as $8,000 in gambling debts.

McPherson said he never has wagered on anything other than horse racing and dog racing, both of which are legal I the state of Florida. The trial could last through Friday and Court TV, a cable network exclusively devoted to trial broadcasts, has received permission to air this trial.@@@

jateeluv · Jun 4, 2003

guilty!

but his football career isn't over.... will get signed for a nice contract in the cfl. See if he goes this route and make good.

If he happens to still have eligibility, he is a blue-chipper so alot of colleges will snatch him up.

fathead · Jun 4, 2003

Max 60 days and $500 fine... Hmmm. If he was not a sports figure, it probably would not be an issue.

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Prosecutors: McPherson Gambled on Sports
1 hour, 27 minutes ago
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By BRENT KALLESTAD, Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Prosecutors contend they have "a mountain of documents" showing former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson illegally bet on sports on the Internet.

Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman told the six-member jury Wednesday during opening statements of a gambling trial that McPherson is "a person who doesn't care how high the stakes get because he doesn't think he can lose."

Defense lawyer Grady Irvin Jr. said prosecutors lacked evidence and McPherson became targeted by competing members of law enforcement who "wanted their five minutes of fame."

"Rumor run amok. Adrian McPherson, quarterback at Florida State University — they wouldn't let go," Irvin said.

McPherson is charged with a second-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A guilty finding most likely would end any hopes he has of playing again in college.

The 20-year-old quarterback was dismissed from the Florida State football team in November. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden probably will be called by the defense to testify.

Cappleman said McPherson began betting on sports events in October 2002 with two high school friends from Bradenton, Otis Livingston and Melvin Capers Jr. The online account was opened under Capers' name but used by McPherson, she said.

Cappleman said the state would show evidence of several phone calls from McPherson's cell phone to the Internet gambling site, SBG Global, several Western Union wire transfers, and evidence from the hard drive of the computer used to place the bets.

"Law enforcement has received a mountain of documents from these three sources and we have done our best to pare down these documents and to present them to you in the most digestible way," she said.

The state unsuccessfully asked Judge Tim Harley to keep Irvin from calling Bowden or any of the school's athletic department administrators.

Livington and Capers Jr. are testifying for the prosecution.

McPherson was a sophomore when dismissed from the football team in November after being charged with stealing a blank check and receiving stolen goods after the check was cashed. Those charges are being tried separately from the December gambling charge.

Journeyman · Jun 4, 2003

THIS IS TOO FUNNY AS BACK IN LATE SEPTEMBER I CALLED THIS GUY OUT AS A FIXER !

I WILL TRY TO FIND MY POST AFTER THE FLORIDA STATE GAME! I CALLED IT, I SAID THE FIX WAS IN AND HE WAS THE RING LEADER!

THIS GAME WAS OBVIOUSLY FIXED ...I WILL LOOK FOR THE THREAD!

jateeluv · Jun 4, 2003

is that the game where they dominated the game and he started to turn the ball over alot and finished with like 4 td's and 3 int's and a fumble or two?

Journeyman · Jun 4, 2003

I have to find the thread...I was furious after watching this game..i wrote it down as a win ...he fumbled for no reason when they were running out the clock, it was pathetic...i have to find the game