Ex-Girlfriend: Fight Over Alleged Affair Led To Ex-Wolfpack Star's Arrest
Marcus Melvin Appears In Court On Strangulation Charges
POSTED: 12:06 pm EDT August 9, 2006
http://www.wral.com/news/9653682/detail.html
PITTSBORO, N.C. -- A former North Carolina State basketball player made his first court appearance on charges he tried to strangle his ex-girlfriend.
Marcus Melvin appeared before the judge Wednesday at the Chatham County courtroom and did not say anything after his court appearance.
Shaunesi DeBerry said she argued with Melvin after she learned that he was cheating on her with a woman in Italy and that the other woman was pregnant with his child. She alleges that in the heat of the argument, he placed his hands around his neck.
"I looked on the phone bill and I saw a number on there from a girl from Italy. She told me that she was pregnant," DeBerry said. "He got mad that I found out because I wasn't supposed to find out."
Melvin played for the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2004. Since graduating from the university, he has played basketball professionally in Italy.
DeBerry said she and Melvin lived together for three years and had problems throughout their relationship. According to court documents, Melvin pleaded guilty three months ago to misdemeanor charges of assaulting and threatening Deberry. Melvin was also accused of assaulting another woman, but charges were voluntarily dismissed.
Still, DeBerry said she does not hold a grudge against Melvin.
"I love Marcus to death to this day, even after all the fights, all the women, all of the heat and beating, I love him to death and that is why he needs help," she said.
DeBerry said that is why she reported the latest incident to police.
"I don't want him to go to jail. He is not a criminal. He is not criminal-minded," she said. "He can't control it because it is something that gets into it. It just happened and I want him to get to get help."
DeBerry and Melvin share an 8-month-old child together. DeBerry said she wants to put the incident behind her and go back to college. Melvin's next court date is scheduled for Sept. 11.