MenâÄôs basketball player Royce White was charged on Friday with three misdemeanor counts of trespassing on Nov. 7 in Territorial Hall. The charges stem from the University of Minnesota PoliceâÄôs investigation of a stolen laptop. WhiteâÄôs attorney, F. Clayton Tyler said a court date has been set for Feb. 1. âÄúI think anytime youâÄôre charged with something I think that itâÄôs a serious matter, but obviously this is certainly a lot better than a felony theft charge,âÄù Tyler said. According to a police report, a group of males were wandering the halls and entering rooms of the dormitory the night of the laptop theft, which occurred in Territorial Hall. White allegedly entered three rooms uninvited, introduced himself and left after occupants asked him to leave. âÄúThe truth of the matter is what theyâÄôve charged Royce with, darn near any freshman at the University of Minnesota could be charged with,âÄù Tyler said. No theft charges have been filed in the case, and White is the only person facing charges as a result of the investigation, according to University police Deputy Chief Chuck Miner. âÄúThere isnâÄôt enough evidence at this point to charge [White] with the burglary [or] theft,âÄù Miner said. White is on probation after pleading guilty to theft and disorderly conduct stemming from an Oct. 13 incident at the Mall of America. Tyler said that the new charges do not violate the terms of WhiteâÄôs probation since the incident took place before the courtâÄôs decision. White, who has been suspended indefinitely while his legal matters are being sorted out, began practicing with the team again this week. Head coach Tubby Smith said Friday morning that White would not play in SaturdayâÄôs game against Michigan State University.
White faces trespassing charges
The freshman basketball recruit remains suspended from competition with the team.
Published January 22, 2010
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