2nd MSU recruit in sex case 

Henry Ford signee will be charged as juvenile 

BY DAVID A. MARKIEWICZ
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

The college career of a second Michigan State football recruit has been thrown into doubt over a sexual-assault case involving a 13-year-old Detroit girl.

Damon Dowdell, a star quarterback for Detroit Henry Ford, won't be admitted to MSU at least until additional facts about the July incident are known, a university administrator said Wednesday.

Dowdell and Lamar Eddington, also of Detroit, will be charged as juveniles with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony, prosecutors said. Both were 16 at the time of the incident.

Eric Knott, Dowdell's teammate and fellow MSU recruit, is scheduled to be tried as an adult in the same case next month. Knott, considered the top high school tight end in the country, was 17 at the time. He has pleaded not guilty.

The difference between being tried as an adult and as a juvenile is substantial. Knott, who faces a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, could receive a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted.

As a juvenile, Dowdell could be incarcerated only until he turns 19. At that time, a judge could review the case and hold him again only until the age of 21. Dowdell will be 18 in August.

Dowdell's attorney, Cornelius Pitts, said he isn't thinking about that.

"Our position is that Mr. Dowdell has done nothing illegal," Pitts said. "Mr. Dowdell is completely innocent of any allegations in the warrant."

Dowdell will plead not guilty.

Henry Ford coach Mike Marshall said MSU is holding an athletic scholarship for Knott pending the outcome of his case, but school officials are not allowed to discuss the situation because Knott did not sign a letter of intent. The Spartans withheld the scholarship after the charge became public.

Dowdell signed with MSU two weeks ago, which allows school officials to comment on his case.

Terry Denbow, vice president for university relations, said MSU football coach Bobby Williams became familiar with Dowdell's situation after the charge against Knott was reported.

"He really did look into this one pretty aggressively," Denbow said. "He talked to all the people he should have talked to, including the prospect. He asked very direct questions. The answers were universal that he was not involved."

Dowdell's admission to MSU is not necessarily dependent on the outcome of the case, Denbow said.

Although the incident occurred nearly seven months ago and Knott was arraigned in August, the warrant for Dowdell wasn't issued until Monday.

Richard Padzieski of the Wayne County prosecutor's office said a warrant can be issued well after an incident, as additional evidence is gathered and interviews are conducted.

In a police interview the morning after the incident, Dowdell denied having any sexual contact with the girl. The Free Press is withholding her name in keeping with its policy to protect the identities of sexual assault victims.

According to the police report, Dowdell said he was with the girl, Knott, Eddington and others that night, but he was not with them at the time of the alleged assault.

Dowdell was rated 21st on the Free Press' Fab 50 list of football prospects from Michigan.

DAVID A. MARKIEWICZ can be reached at 313-223-4759 or markiewicz@freepress.com