Former MSU running back Walker sentenced to 25 years in prison

Walker sentenced to 25 years in prison By CATHERINE RAGSDALE/Starkville Daily News

Former Mississippi State football star Dontay Walker was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison and fined $2,000 for his conviction last week on drug charges.

Last week, a seven-woman, five-man jury convicted Walker on charges of possession of more than an ounce of marijuana and possession of more than an ounce of crack cocaine.

Walker was originally arrested for possession of more than an ounce of crack cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute, but the jury saw fit to drop the intent clause.

Mississippi state law dictates that in any such case, the jury has the option of removing the intent to distribute clause from the charges if they so decide.

Walker was arrested Aug. 28, 2003, after the car in which he was riding was found to hold large quantities of the illegal drugs.

The marijuana charge carries a sentence of up to three years in prison, while the cocaine charge can bring a sentence of between 10 and 30 years in prison. Walker was ultimately sentenced to three years for the marijuana charge, and 22 years for the cocaine charge.

In addition to the $2,000 fine, Walker was also sentenced to undergo five years of additional supervision by the Department of Corrections following his release from prison.

During the sentencing hearing Wednesday morning, Walker sat nervously in the courtroom as presiding judge Jim Kitchens spoke of having read many letters from the defendant's former coaches and one of his attorneys extolling his good character.

Four witnesses for the defense came forward, including Walker's mother, asking for leniency in sentencing.

The Rev. John Frasier of Calvary Baptist in Centerville said that Walker had spent time living in his home and that he fully trusted him around his young children.

He even volunteered to house Walker if the judge wanted to set up any sort of house arrest sentence.

Family friend and attorney Otto Carr stated that he has known Walker most of his life. He described Walker as kind and compassionate and certainly not any kind of dangerous monster.

Emily Hays, the wife of one of Walker's attorneys stated that she had trusted Walker to drive her car and to be around her 14-year-old-child with complete confidence.

Starkville Police Department Sgt. Maurice Johnson testified for the prosecution during the sentencing hearing.

Johnson said that he had suspected Walker was involved in drug trafficking several months before his actual arrest.

At that time, Johnson had warned Walker to stay away from that kind of activity or "trouble would find him."

Kitchens said that though many good people had spoken on Walker's behalf, the defendant had obviously been spending time with known drug dealers, and that "birds of a feather flock together."

The huge quantity of crack found on Walker at his arrest suggested more than just casual use, Kitchens said.

"This sentence will send a powerful message that drugs will not be tolerated here in this court and in Oktibbeha County," Clark said.

Croom: Williams no longer on team

# MSU coach cites undisclosed violation of team rules for reason starting safety is off football team

By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com

STARKVILLE — Darren Williams has played his last game at Mississippi State.

Williams, a junior safety who led the Bulldogs in interceptions in 2004, has been dismissed from the team for violating team rules, coach Sylvester Croom said.

Croom would not say what rules Williams broke. Williams could not be reached Monday night for comment.

"Darren came to me and told me he was contemplating entering the NFL draft," Croom said. "During that time, while he was deliberating, he violated some team rules. Now, he will not be playing for us this fall."

While Williams might have thought about applying for early entry into the draft, he did not officially do so by the Jan. 15 deadline for underclassmen, according to a list released by the NFL to the public.

Williams has not taken his redshirt year, meaning he would have one year of eligibility remaining if he transfers and continues to play football. Under NCAA rules, he can transfer to another Division I-A school and sit out a year, or he can play immediately at a Division I-AA or Division II school.

Williams is the latest in a string of players signed by previous coach Jackie Sherrill — many of them highly recruited high school stars — to be disciplined by Croom, in his second season as the Bulldog coach.

Offensive tackle Richard Burch, receiver Antonio Hargro, running back Nick Turner and defensive back Eric Fuller were all suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons.

Additionally, linebacker Marvin Byrdsong, running back Jason Jude, linebacker Kenny Kern, quarterback Aries Nelson, quarterback Kyle York, flanker Brandon Wright, running back Rickey Wright and guard Devrick Hampton have all either left the team, transferred or plan to transfer from State.

Juco cornerback Brian Staley, whom Croom signed, left after only one season.

Williams' departure leaves MSU with 60 players on scholarship. Because of NCAA sanctions handed down for violations committed under Sherrill, State can have only 81 players on scholarship this fall, four less than the normal limit.

A 6-foot-2, 209-pound Clarksdale resident, Williams started eight games during the Bulldogs' 3-8 season, making four interceptions. His total of 63 tackles was third on the team.

Prior to the 2004 season, he started 16 games, playing in 21, and making 123 tackles. He had five interceptions entering the year, including three in one game against Troy State as a freshman.

The former Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen pick and No. 1 Most Wanted recruit finished his Clarksdale High career as a Parade All-American after having led the school to a Class 4A state title.

There have been other disciplinary decisions for Croom to face.

Burch, a three-year starter from Brandon, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with selling marijuana. He has an appearance at Starkville Municipal Court on Feb. 14.

Croom suspended Burch but has made no further comment.

Hargro, a USA Today honorable mention high school All-American, was dismissed after three seasons with nine catches. Fuller was suspended for a number of games, then eventually for good.

Croom made off-the-field news last spring when he dismissed Turner, a former star running back and Parade high school All-American. Sherrill suspended Turner for the second half of the 2002 season after Turner was arrested and charged with passing counterfeit $100 bills. Sherrill reinstated Turner after the felony charge was reduced in February of 2003, and Turner played in all 12 MSU games that fall.

But Turner didn't last three months under Croom. He was dismissed last February after repeatedly missing workouts and then skipping a meeting with Croom.

Byrdsong, the former Parade high school All-American, left on his own, choosing to play his final season at Northwestern (La.) State. So did Kern, who has not decided on his school.

Nelson transferred to Mississippi Valley State seeking more playing time. Jude left because he thought Croom's expectations were too high. Hampton departed after being asked to play offense instead of defense.

York left after playing three years to enroll in a seminary in Lexington, Ky. Brandon Wright and Rickey Wright, neither of whom saw significant time, each planned to transfer after the season

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