----Original Message Follows----
From: Michael Petrucelli
To: "'jkl6c2@mizzou.edu'" , "'mellenr@missouri.edu'" , "'jlh471@mizzou.edu'" , "'flores78@yahoo.com'"
Subject: MU recruit arrested
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 22:31:06 -0500
Greg, Jessica, Jose and Jeff,
Thanks for the help getting Snyder's comment for the story. I'm e-mailing
what we have for our Saturday edition. Feel free to use what you want, just
credit the South Bend Tribune please. Anything more you happen to get out of
the University we'd love to use. We can keep you updated on what goes on in
the courts here. Thanks again. Story at the end.
Mike
Mike Petrucelli
Asst. Michigan Editor
South Bend Tribune
mpetrucelli@sbtinfo.com
(219) 235-6388
By CHRISTINE COX
Tribune Staff Writer
BENTON HARBOR - Benton Harbor High School basketball star Robert Whaley was
suspended from the team Friday due to his arrest earlier this week for
allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in his home on Thanksgiving.
The suspension came hours before the Tigers went up against Battle Creek
Central in Battle Creek, winning the game 69-63.
"They pulled him off the bus before we came down here. It came straight down
from the administration," Benton Harbor coach Paul Wilhite said Friday night
in Battle Creek. "We played this one for Robert. We support him as a team."
"We got a legal opinion," Benton Harbor athletics director John Brown said
about the decision to dismiss the 18-year-old from the team. He has not been
suspended from school, Brown said.
Whaley has been charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual
conduct, Berrien County Prosecuting Attorney James Cherry said Friday.
Third-degree CSC, intercourse with a girl from age 13-15, carries a penalty
of up to 15 years in prison. Fourth-degree CSC involves touching for
purposes of sexual gratification and involves force and coercion, Cherry
said. That charge is a 2-year high misdemeanor, the prosecutor said.
The 6-10 senior, who is ranked as one of the best high school players in the
country, was averaging 18.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He missed two
games earlier this season with academic problems. Whaley signed a national
letter of intent with University of Missouri during the early signing period
in November.
Missouri basketball coach Quin Snyder said in a written statement Friday,
"At this time, we're waiting to receive more information and professional
consultation regarding the situation. We can't make any further comments
until then."
The incidents allegedly happened in Whaley's family mobile home at 1200 E.
Empire Ave. in Benton Township, Cherry said.
A warrant was issued last week and Benton Township police arrested Whaley
without incident at school Tuesday, township police Detective Sgt. Robert
O'Brien said Friday.
Whaley was booked at Berrien County Jail and posted $10,000 bond that
afternoon through a bail bondsman.
He has not be arraigned yet, but is scheduled for a preliminary examination
on Jan. 23, Cherry said.
Police have not interviewed Whaley about the incident because his lawyer,
Tat Parish of Watervliet, would not allow him to speak to police, O'Brien
said.
O'Brien said his department has interviewed several people about the
incident and has sent DNA evidence to the state police crime laboratory.
The school will also investigate the incident to ensure that Whaley's
"rights and privileges" as an student athlete are not taken away, Brown
said.
Brown said he had talked to Whaley Friday afternoon and that he was "doing
all right."
Tribune staff writer Jack Walkden, Bill Broderick of the Battle Creek
Enquirer and Jose Flores of the Columbia Missourian contributed to this
report.
Staff writer Christine Cox:
ccox@sbtinfo.com
(616) 983-3927
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