Posted on 02/09/2005 8:45:22 PM PST by hawkeye101
Dismissed player due in court Wednesday
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce was charged with assault and burglary Wednesday, a week after he was thrown off the team.
Pierce surrendered to police and was to appear in court later in the day on charges of first-degree burglary, two counts of domestic assault, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief.
His lawyer, Alfredo Parrish, said Wednesday that his client intends to plead not guilty.
Pierce, the team's leading scorer, was kicked off the team after police confirmed he was the subject of an investigation into a matter at the townhouse of a former girlfriend.
Iowa coach Steve Alford said last week that Pierce "betrayed the trust we placed in him when he was given a second chance two years ago." Pierce was charged with third-degree sexual abuse in 2002. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
The case and the way it was handled by university administrators and Alford sparked controversy across the state and prompted two faculty-led inquiries critical of the response.
Iowa athletic officials have said Pierce will remain on scholarship through this spring and his academic status is not affected. Earlier, Parrish said his 21-year-old client had not yet decided whether to stay at Iowa or transfer.
Pierce is averaging 17.8 point this season. Iowa (15-6) lost to Michigan State in its only game since Pierce left the team. The Hawkeyes play Wisconsin on Wednesday night.
Steve Alford's team. Very surprising that he was recruited, survived an assault charge, and lasted as long as he did. Not the type of player Bob Knight would have kept around.
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