Ex-players: Spurrier said no charges would be filed

[DJRamFan]

Aug. 8, 2005
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports




COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Two former South Carolina players who admitted taking electronics from Williams-Brice Stadium claim coach Steve Spurrier told the team that no one would face criminal charges if the items were returned, according to court documents.

Advertisement


Brian Brownlee and Woodly Telfort were charged with felony grand larceny last January. Brownlee confessed to taking two laptop computers, each valued at $4,000, and two video projectors, worth about $1,675 and $850, according to an arrest warrant. Telfort admitted taking a $4,000 laptop from the stadium, according to an arrest warrant.

Spurrier issued a statement Monday night saying the university's attorney had asked him not to comment because of the pending criminal charges.

"When the time is appropriate, I'll answer any questions relative to this matter," Spurrier said.

The players' cases are scheduled to go to trial Aug. 29.

About $18,000 worth of video and computer equipment and framed photographs was taken from the stadium on Nov. 22 after former athletic director Mike McGee told players they had lost out on a bowl game as punishment for an on-field brawl with Clemson days earlier.

On Dec. 8, Spurrier held a team meeting where he told players that "no criminal charges would be brought against any player involved if all the items removed from the USC Stadium were returned immediately," according to the documents.

Telfort said he returned the laptop computer because of Spurrier's assurance, according to documents. Brownlee claimed he returned the items he took before the team meeting.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2004-2005, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved