2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsTwo MSU athletes cleared
Jess Rollins
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Two of the three Missouri State basketball players being investigated for felony theft were back on the court Wednesday night; the other was in court Wednesday afternoon.
David Cline, freshman center, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing more than $14,000 worth of photography equipment from a vehicle parked at an apartment building, according to a news release from Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore.
Lamont Austin, freshman guard, Chris Cooks, junior guard, and Cline were arrested and released by the Springfield Police Department on Nov.13 in connection with the case, but charges were only brought against Cline.
Missouri State basketball head coach Barry Hinson suspended all three players after news of their arrests broke on Nov. 14.
Soon after, Cline was charged and Austin and Cooks were not. Hinson lifted the suspension on Austin and Cooks in time for the 7 p.m. game against Saint Louis University.
"I am pleased that Lamont and Chris have their legal status now resolved," Hinson said in a news release. "We look forward to having them back with a renewed focus and fresh perspective."
Hinson said Cline will remain suspended for the rest of the season and his status after this season will depend on the outcome of the case.
Cline told a detective that he, Cooks and Austin stole the equipment from the back of a truck, then tried to sell a camera at a Springfield pawnshop, according to a probable cause statement.
The Springfield police detective questioned Cline after the owners of Loftis Jewelry and Pawnbrokers gave a description of the three as well as video surveillance, according to the statement.
A license plate number, provided by Darrell Loftis, checked back to Cline's home in Rogers, Ark., according to the statement.
Cline surrendered a camera with a serial number that matched the number of the camera reported stolen, according to the statement.
Moore did not return calls to his office.
David Cline, freshman center, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing more than $14,000 worth of photography equipment from a vehicle parked at an apartment building, according to a news release from Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore.
Lamont Austin, freshman guard, Chris Cooks, junior guard, and Cline were arrested and released by the Springfield Police Department on Nov.13 in connection with the case, but charges were only brought against Cline.
Missouri State basketball head coach Barry Hinson suspended all three players after news of their arrests broke on Nov. 14.
Soon after, Cline was charged and Austin and Cooks were not. Hinson lifted the suspension on Austin and Cooks in time for the 7 p.m. game against Saint Louis University.
"I am pleased that Lamont and Chris have their legal status now resolved," Hinson said in a news release. "We look forward to having them back with a renewed focus and fresh perspective."
Hinson said Cline will remain suspended for the rest of the season and his status after this season will depend on the outcome of the case.
Cline told a detective that he, Cooks and Austin stole the equipment from the back of a truck, then tried to sell a camera at a Springfield pawnshop, according to a probable cause statement.
The Springfield police detective questioned Cline after the owners of Loftis Jewelry and Pawnbrokers gave a description of the three as well as video surveillance, according to the statement.
A license plate number, provided by Darrell Loftis, checked back to Cline's home in Rogers, Ark., according to the statement.
Cline surrendered a camera with a serial number that matched the number of the camera reported stolen, according to the statement.
Moore did not return calls to his office.
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