Jun 302011
 

AUBURN, Alabama — The trial of accused tree poisoner Harvey Updyke is unlikely to occur this summer.

A judge agreed Thursday to postpone the trial until the fall, according to the Associated Press.

The order was not immediately available to view on the state court system’s website.

The trial docket was originally set for this month, although both sides agreed that was unlikely to occur.

Updyke, 62, is accused of poisoning the historic oak trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn. He was indicted in May on two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of desecrating a venerable object and two counts of a state law that includes making it unlawful to damage, vandalize or steal any property on or from an animal or crop facility.

Updyke has pleaded not-guilty.

via Judge agrees to delay start of Harvey Updyke’s trial | al.com.

 Posted by at 2:56 pm
Jun 302011
 

A FOX 34 follow-up on former Texas Tech football defensive coordinator James Willis. He has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault, domestic violence.

Willis was sentenced to six months deferred probation; if he violates this sentence he could face up to a year in jail. Willis must also attend anger management classes and serve 30 hours of community service.

According to a Wolfforth Police Report an officer responded to the Willis home on the morning of December 22, in reference to a report of domestic violence. Shalane Willis claimed her husband slapped her, hit her in the nose and threw her on the bed during an argument. Mrs. Willis says she ran out the front door to the neighbors’ house to call 911.

After the domestic abuse allegations surfaced Tech head football coach Tommy Tuberville said the reported abuse was not a factor in Willis leaving the program.

“That was never even discussed when we sat down and talked about his future,” Tuberville said in Dallas, during the week of practice ahead of the team’s bowl game. “He will work through those and everybody has some kind of problems. They seem to be when you read stuff, more serious than what they are, but he is a good guy and has a good family.”

via Former Tech defensive coordinator Willis pleads guilty to domestic violence|myFOXlubbock | FOX 34 News KJTV Lubbock, Texas.

 Posted by at 2:53 pm
Jun 302011
 

TUSCALOOSA — Details are sketchy regarding a hit-and-run accident early this morning that involved Alabama football star Trent Richardson.

The junior running back was the victim in the accident, according to Tuscaloosa police, but department officials wouldn’t say if he was injured.

UPDATE: Richardson was not injured, an Alabama athletics department spokesman said.

The police department issued a one-paragraph news release:

Tuscaloosa Police Department responded to a Leaving the Scene Of An Accident/ Menacing Call that occurred at 1:30 am this morning (06/30/11) in the 2300 Block of 4th Street. Trent Richardson was the victim in the incident. A citation was issued for the leaving the scene of an accident. Mr. Richardson declined prosecution on the Menacing Charge and the case has been closed. No further details will be released.

via Tide RB Trent Richardson a victim in hit-and-run accident; details sketchy | al.com.

 Posted by at 2:50 pm