Royce White says he would return to Gophers Bball

[GoldenHerbs]

Heres the link:

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14175041?nclick_check=1

[BleedGopher]

That link didn't work - here's the full article:

Suspended freshman Royce White 'open' to remaining with Gophers men's basketball team
Freshman insists he is innocent of on-campus theft
By Marcus R. Fuller

Despite saying in a YouTube video last month that he was quitting college basketball, Royce White isn't ready to give it up just yet.

That's why the suspended University of Minnesota freshman hasn't asked to be released from his scholarship. He said he thought the YouTube announcement would relieve the burden on his team and family after weeks of White being labeled a suspect in a stolen-laptop case.

"It was a decision I had to make, because I felt like (the case) was not being handled the right way," the 6-foot-8, 250-pound five-star recruit from Hopkins High School said Monday of the YouTube video. "I just felt like it didn't make sense for me to be a distraction for them. If I wasn't on the team anymore, then I thought they could just go on about things just like I was never there.

"But that didn't happen. The talk continued to be around me, so I decided that I would come back, be around and show that I'm still supporting the team."

Gophers coach Tubby Smith suspended White indefinitely on Nov. 3 for unspecified rules violations. White says it was for an Oct. 13 shoplifting incident at Macy's at Mall of America and that the suspension was supposed to be lifted after two exhibition games.

But when he became a suspect in the Nov. 7 laptop theft on campus, the suspension continued. White said in the video that he doesn't want to play for another school, and he stands by that.

"I'm leaving it open, just in case the situation can be rectified," White said. "But as it stands right now, it's late in the game. It's 16 games in. And it's for something I didn't do."

Smith gave White permission two weeks ago to watch a couple of practices. White said he also lifted weights with the Gophers.

White said he still could play this season, or would consider redshirting for next season, if he's cleared soon of any involvement in the laptop case. But he said he would have to talk that decision over with his family and friends.

Meanwhile, White and his attorney, F. Clayton Tyler, said they are frustrated that University police have taken so long to finish investigating an incident that occurred more than two months ago.

Last month, University Deputy Police Chief Chuck Miner said the case had been turned over to the Minneapolis city attorney's office for possible prosecution. Actually, that didn't happen. Miner said Tuesday he had been misinformed. Miner said the investigator has one more interview to conduct before the case is passed along next week.

"We're making sure we do it right versus do it speedy," Miner said. "The more people that are involved, the longer it takes."

LONG DELAYS IN CASE

White admits he messed up once, saying it was "dumb" to steal a T-shirt and jeans from Macy's. He pleaded guilty to shoplifting and fifth-degree assault.

"It was definitely an idiot thing to do," he said. "When you look back, there are always decisions that you regret, but it happened."

As for the laptop case, White said he is innocent, that the only thing he is guilty of is being in Territorial Hall that night, where the robbery occurred — and that police have enough information to clear him.

White said the victim acknowledged he didn't steal the laptop, which later was found. Miner said University police don't have any such statement from the laptop owner saying White didn't take it. The laptop owner declined to comment Tuesday when contacted by the Pioneer Press.

White also said a video that police have of Territorial Hall that night shows nothing to indicate he or anyone in his group had the laptop. Miner said the surveillance video didn't show enough to conclude whether White did or did not have it with him when leaving the building.

White said university police have treated him unfairly, assuming he was involved because of the Mall of America incident. White said he and his family initially were uncomfortable with him being on campus for school, but he decided to stay anyway.

"I feel like if the campus police are trying to pin something on me that I didn't do, then what's going to happen next?" White said. "There's a large group of people who want this thing to be over with, but nobody can do anything about it. I feel like if they can be irresponsible when it comes to me, then they can do anything they want."

Miner said THE case isn't being treated any differently than normal. He said similar burglary cases don't usually take this long to investigate, but circumstances have contributed to the delay, including not being able to get to some student witnesses during Christmas break and scheduling issues with White and Tyler.

"It took awhile to set up a meeting with him," Miner said. "Once we did, we weren't getting the cooperation that he alluded we would get. That prolonged things a bit. The investigator was out ill for a week or two, and had a vacation there. Little things come up like that, too. It's not about rushing to get it done, but obviously we want to get it done as quickly as possible. For a variety of factors, this one took longer than a normal one would, but it has nothing to do with the fact that it's Royce White or anything."

White said he did cooperate with police, except that he wouldn't identify any other members of his group.

"I didn't really want to agree to do that because there's already been too many people's names dragged into it, including mine, that shouldn't have been," White said. "It doesn't make sense to drag anybody else's name into it if I don't know that they did it or not. I wouldn't feel comfortable with that."

YOUTUBE MARKETING

White said the YouTube videos allowed him to get his message out, his way.

The videos say they are produced by White & Brown Entertainment, White's record label and one of the business ventures he wants to promote.

"It was also a marketing strategy I came up with," he said. "Those things are very expensive."

A marketing major at the U, White said he is doing well in school and wants a degree. Besides being a student-athlete, he sees himself as a music producer, a songwriter and an entrepreneur

"There's plenty of basketball players that do other things," said White. "I'm just starting a little earlier."

Even if he can't play for the Gophers, he is working out. He participated in the Keep the Peace charity basketball game Sunday at Minneapolis North High School.

The Gophers (12-4, 3-1 Big Ten), who play tonight at Michigan State, have missed the inside presence White could have provided. White said it was hard watching the Gophers, especially from afar.

He wanted to at least be on the sideline to encourage his teammates. But White said Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi didn't want White around where the media would have access to him.

White understood, but he's eager to get this all behind him.

"If the situation goes right, then I would love to play basketball in a Gopher uniform," White said. "That would be the ideal world, but we don't live in a perfect world sometimes."

Go Gophers!!

[josh087]

Great article balancing both sides of the story. Statements from White as well as statements from U Police mixed in with facts that have been released. Really well done. We need more reporting like this in this town.

That said - this makes me even more angry at why this is taking so long. The laundry list of excuses from the police is ridiculous, self-righteous, and exhausting. I don't know if he did it or not, but 99% of these types of cases would have been resolved with the cop saying "sorry kid, better lock your door next time."

[Ogee Oglethorpe]

This is an amazingly f'd up situation.

On the one hand, you've got White who more than likely did nothing wrong but on the other hand, could easily put an end to the situation and give up his friends, who also may or may not have done anything wrong.

On the other hand, you've got the campus police, AKA Keystone Kops. They think they have the leverage in the situation because White wants to play, so they're dragging it out in hopes that White ultimately caves in and gives them what they want.

Haven't any of these people seen "Scent of a Woman" with Pacino and Chris O'Donnell? This saga has drawn out PRECISELY following this movie plot, without Royce White taking a trip to NYC with a blind retired vet.

I would respond with Pacino's classic monologue at the conclusion of the film: "I don't know if Royce's silence is right or wrong, I'm not a judge or jury... but he's not going to sell out his friends to buy his future."


Make no mistake, this is 100% about the ego of the Campus Police. This is why they did not turn the case over to MPLS PD (big brother), and face admitting that they couldn't take care of their own house. They also hate that Royce is not caving in like they had clearly anticipated.

I'll never defend Royce for some of the things he did; young or not, he's been guilty of being just plain f'n stupid and using horrible judgment. Like it or not, Royce, people frequently judge you by the company you keep and you may be facing some hard decisions when it comes to this.

But the whole situation is beginning to make me sick to my stomach. These buffoons from the Campus Police have to start realizing how incredibly idiotic they're beginning to look, like complete fools.

It's time to realize, whether they like it or not, that this just isn't going anywhere.


Where's Al Pacino when you need him?

[boston.gopher]

Whoo -Ahhh!!!!!!!!!!

[cncmin]

Great article balancing both sides of the story. Statements from White as well as statements from U Police mixed in with facts that have been released. Really well done. We need more reporting like this in this town.

That said - this makes me even more angry at why this is taking so long. The laundry list of excuses from the police is ridiculous, self-righteous, and exhausting. I don't know if he did it or not, but 99% of these types of cases would have been resolved with the cop saying "sorry kid, better lock your door next time."

Agreed - enough is enough - I've seen a couple of minor theft cases where the police wouldn't even show up to take a statement.

The best thing about the article (and it was a very good article), was that it portrays Royce as still having desire to be a Gopher and support his teammates. I understand that he many never put on the maroon and gold uniform, whether his choice or the choice of others, but this makes me hopeful that he is indeed getting back on the right track. Good for him!

[station19]

Thanks Bleed.

I've tried to be patient in this issue but this is dragging out way too long.

[boston.gopher]

Maybe we should start printing t-shirts, bumper stickers, and lawn signs that say "FREE ROYCE" and start wearing them and posting them up all over campus (especially by the campus police station)! We need to put some pressure on some people and get this thing settled! Go Gophers!!!!!!!!!! :clap:

[josh087]

I don't know or care whether Royce is innocent, but.....

Police are egotistical by nature. Why does one have the urge to become a cop? Its to be able to exert power over others. It's about ego. And once they get a taste of it, the ego only grows the longer the cop is on the job. Yes, there might be motivations to do right, and there are cops without ego, but IMO a vast majority are fueled by the power and control.

[GopherJake]

Maybe we should start printing t-shirts, bumper stickers, and lawn signs that say "FREE ROYCE" and start wearing them and posting them up all over campus (especially by the campus police station)! We need to put some pressure on some people and get this thing settled! Go Gophers!!!!!!!!!! :clap:

Good luck with that one, dude.

So old Royce won't tell the cops his buddies' names? What an idiot. Something smells fishy.....what's the harm in that if they are all innocent? And if they aren't, then why the hell would he throw away his freshman year and quite possibly his entire college basketball career to "protect" them?

Looks to me like Royce bluffed and the campus police called his bluff. While I agree that this seems kind of like a cluster-eff, Royce has dug part of the hole himself. Even if he is innocent.

I sure wish he was playing for us, that's for sure. But maybe he's just dumb. Sure is doing some dumb things. Maybe you should stop being dumb, Royce, and you'd be playing college basketball.

[Dr.Don]

I'm not blind like the veteran that Pacino played, but I have a nose like he does, and this whole delay stinks.

[From the Barn]

has dug part of the whole himself....

Maybe you should stop being dumb.

.

[Jeshurun]

We give Fuller a lot of crap on this board, but I have to say that was a good article. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come and not a fluke.

[GopherJake]

.

Touche! Fat fingered that one, that's for sure! (Corrected - and I stand by the post.)

[bassy123]

Good luck with that one, dude.

So old Royce won't tell the cops his buddies' names? What an idiot. Something smells fishy.....what's the harm in that if they are all innocent? And if they aren't, then why the hell would he throw away his freshman year and quite possibly his entire college basketball career to "protect" them?



snitches get stitches.

[leftyslefty]

is better off keeping his yap shut. He can make his case behind the scenes without airing every anything in public.

[GopherJake]

snitches get stitches.

Even if they're innocent? (The "snitched" upon, that is?) In the adult world, if everyone is innocent, then there's nothing to worry about in giving them the names. On the other hand, if Royce knows who stole the laptop and won't tell for that reason, then he's clearly hanging out with the wrong folks. Folks who don't give a rats ass about his basketball career. 'Cuz he/they are screwing it up big time, if that's who he is "protecting." Either way, Royce is blowing it.

Unless he shuts up and - continues to - fly straight.

And again, I'd love to have him on this team right now. He could be immensely helpful and possibly put us in the hunt for a Big Ten title and more......

[From the Barn]

We give Fuller a lot of crap on this board, but I have to say that was a good article. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come and not a fluke.

We don't. That is Myron.

[What Up Guy]

IMO here is the deal--

I don't know if Royce is innocent or not. I believe that the police have nothing. Nothing on him. Nothing on anyone else. They have a notion that either Royce, or someone in his posse could have been the thief. They know Royce was there, so they talk to him. Royce gives them nothing. The police drag it out, hope that Royce spills the beans or gives up some names in the meantime because of the leverage they have with w/ Royce wanting back on the court.

Eventually, IMO, they will finally clear him. I also think Royce probably knows something about the laptop and who might have done it, but he isn't saying.

That's all just what I think is going down based on everything I have read. I have no sources or any thing. Just my theory on the entire deal, there are probably some holes in it.

[SonOfTheVarsity]

That said - this makes me even more angry at why this is taking so long. The laundry list of excuses from the police is ridiculous, self-righteous, and exhausting. I don't know if he did it or not, but 99% of these types of cases would have been resolved with the cop saying "sorry kid, better lock your door next time."

Completely agree. I understand that investigations can take a while, but this is getting to be ridiculous. You could very well be preventing a kid from playing basketball at a major university, and you come out with an excuse that an investigator was sick and went on vacation. Give me a break. The University Police owe it to any student not to tie them up in some unnecessarily long investigation, especially when there is as little solid evidence as there seems to be against Royce.

[WAGopher]

As much as I'd like Royce to be cleared, isn't he obstructing justice by not answering the questions that aren't about him? If the people he were with that night were really is friends, wouldn't they turn themselves in for questioning and relieve Royce of the burden he has trying to protect them?

[GopherinPhilly]

Good luck with that one, dude.

So old Royce won't tell the cops his buddies' names? What an idiot. Something smells fishy.....what's the harm in that if they are all innocent? And if they aren't, then why the hell would he throw away his freshman year and quite possibly his entire college basketball career to "protect" them?

Looks to me like Royce bluffed and the campus police called his bluff. While I agree that this seems kind of like a cluster-eff, Royce has dug part of the hole himself. Even if he is innocent.

I sure wish he was playing for us, that's for sure. But maybe he's just dumb. Sure is doing some dumb things. Maybe you should stop being dumb, Royce, and you'd be playing college basketball.

I am glad you are not my friend....should change your moniker to GopherRat

[burton34]

Do we know for sure that he is protecting his friends? Is this substantiated or speculation?

[SelectionSunday]

"I still think White is better off keeping his yap shut. He can make his case behind the scenes without airing every anything in public."

Touche.

Apparently, Royce is much more willing to air his grievances (read: talk) to his fawning, adoring public than he is to (read: talk) cooperate fully with the authorities by providing names of the guys who were with him. That's his choice, fine, just don't come whining to me about it.

[rrjackIII]

I'm no marketing major but I would guess that one of the first things you want to do in marketing is to identify your market.

IMO Royce should be marketing two audiences: 1. the authorities, and 2. Tubby.

It seems to me it would be best for him to 'market' the authorities through his attorney and not the media.

I believe Tubby has a rule that Freshman do not talk to the media in their 1st semester. Since Royce is still awaiting his first semester on Tubby's team it is my guess that the best way to 'market' Tubby in this regard is to stay away from the media until after he finishes his first semester of play with the team.

Good article by Marcus, though. I am pulling for Royce - he could be a great help. Perhaps he should try for a little low profile behind the scenes 'marketing' - at least for a while.

[From the Barn]

speculation of course

[PeanutButterTubbyTime]

You can give Royce all the crap in the world about the case and everything, but his Twitter, Youtube videos, and Facebook status' have been used to create a ton of buzz around his name while he has been out.

When he was announcing his YouTube video there were several newspapers reporting on it and he had this whole board in an uproar for several days. The guy is a marketing stud in terms of generating buzz around himself and being able to craft his image as something other than, "That basketball player who got busted for those crimes and never played."

I give him all the credit in the world for doing that, despite it potentially being against Tubby's rules or whatever.

[Reserve]

I'd love to know what really happened behind the scenes with this. Royce didn't do it, according the girl. She's provided no statement to the police. Could someone tell me why the police haven't gotten the statement from her?
They have no evidence that Royce or his friends are involved, there are no charges. Why again hasn't Royce been allowed to rejoin the team until this is cleared up?

[Mikie S]

Contrary to what White (and his "pals") say, I think Maturi and the coaching staff have/are handling this mess about as well as it can be handled.

But whether or not White (and his "pals") think he is being mistreated, his options are somewhat limited. The ONLY way White plays D-1 basketball next year (after already missing this season) is to play for the Gophers, because a transfer means another year sitting out. Additionally, he MUST stay out of trouble, as the next run-in with the law will almost certainly get him booted, for good, from the Gopher program.

That said, I hope to see White on (not in) the court next year.

[Maroon Shower]

Is the assumption here that there is no possibility that he could play this year? I would assume he will not, but what happens if he's cleared of the laptop incident next week? Does anyone think that would leave him enough time to get back in Tubby's good graces this season? There's a lot of season left, and he would at least have the possibility of becoming an impact player by tourney time.

[MNCH]

"White said he did cooperate with police, except that he wouldn't identify any other members of his group."

It's very simple, when Royce loses his thug mentality, he can play. Until then, the police can just let him hang out to dry. Royce, you have made a decision to not fully cooperate, and with that decision comes consequences. The "Stop Snitching" campaign proposed by hoodlums, dealers, rappers and Carmelo Anthony is one of the most moronic ideas ever to come out of the ghetto.

[jmag21]

Is the assumption here that there is no possibility that he could play this year? I would assume he will not, but what happens if he's cleared of the laptop incident next week? Does anyone think that would leave him enough time to get back in Tubby's good graces this season? There's a lot of season left, and he would at least have the possibility of becoming an impact player by tourney time.

I think he'd play. There's no point redshirting him, as I think it unlikely he'd stay all four years.

[SkitchPatterson]

Do we know for sure that he is protecting his friends? Is this substantiated or speculation?

Does anyone know anything for sure?

[station19]

"White said he did cooperate with police, except that he wouldn't identify any other members of his group."

It's very simple, when Royce loses his thug mentality, he can play. Until then, the police can just let him hang out to dry. Royce, you have made a decision to not fully cooperate, and with that decision comes consequences. The "Stop Snitching" campaign proposed by hoodlums, dealers, rappers and Carmelo Anthony is one of the most moronic ideas ever to come out of the ghetto.

This sure seems like a classic game of 'chicken' to me.

My wonderment is this; 1. If Royce's friends are not involved with laptop-gate and have nothing to hide, why have they not come forward? 2. If Royce did reveal who he was with, is he worried that they(friends) have something on him?

Like I said I'm just wondering, not trying to start any rumors.

[NorthernLakesGopher]

In the article, Miner flat out admits he does not have any evidence implicating White whatsoever other than him being in the building. In absolutely any other scenario, this would have been a few days investigation tops. I lived in NE Mpls and had my garage/car broken into with power tools, top quality mountain bike, golf clubs - thousands of dollars worth of items stolen, and the police filled out the report and said file a claim with insurance, our work is done. This uproar over a laptop that showed up again is silly.

[howeda7]

I'd love to know what really happened behind the scenes with this. Royce didn't do it, according the girl. She's provided no statement to the police. Could someone tell me why the police haven't gotten the statement from her?
They have no evidence that Royce or his friends are involved, there are no charges. Why again hasn't Royce been allowed to rejoin the team until this is cleared up?

At some point Maturi/Tubby have to join in this game of chicken, call the UMPD's bluff and say 'since it appears unlikely that there will be any further develpments in this matter in the near future, we are clearing Royce to play. If there are further develpments in this case that warrant our review, we'll revisit his status at that time.'

This is of course assuming that he has adequately cleared up his 'other' issues and this is the only thing stopping him from re-joining the team. This speculation about whether Royce is covering for his friends or not, is just that, speculation. Regardless of any of that, for the UMPD to still be investigating a petty dorm theft nearly 3 months after it happened is absurd, and Maturi needs to call them on it.

[tikited]

[QUOTE=MNCH;167886The "Stop Snitching" campaign proposed by hoodlums, dealers, rappers and Carmelo Anthony is one of the most moronic ideas ever to come out of the ghetto.[/QUOTE]

+1

[Reserve]

In the article, Miner flat out admits he does not have any evidence implicating White whatsoever other than him being in the building.

My point. Here they have nothing and freely admit it against neither Royce nor his friends. Nothing. Hell, at least Trevor is being charged with something. Of course he still is practicing and attending home games. How could they possibly send anything to the Minneapolis prosecutor when they have NO evidence that Royce or his friends did anything?

As Denzel said in Philadelphia - someone explain this to me like I'm a six year old child because I don't get it.

[steffyboy]

"I still think White is better off keeping his yap shut. He can make his case behind the scenes without airing every anything in public."

Touche.

Apparently, Royce is much more willing to air his grievances (read: talk) to his fawning, adoring public than he is to (read: talk) cooperate fully with the authorities by providing names of the guys who were with him. That's his choice, fine, just don't come whining to me about it.


Royce White is reacting to an over-fed and and magnified multi-media world we live in, which has festered even more so with individual media outlets that players have access to like Twitter, Facebook, etc....Sure his videos are a bit cheesy and he looks a bit foolish, but he is only 18 and He is reacting to the over-hyped reports that he hears every day. He put himself in this position no doubt, but don't be surprised when an 18-year old kid lashes out on outlets like youtube. My opinion that in the future most programs won't let any student athlete engage in outlets like this that could potentially damage the institution or the player's reputation. It's the world we live in for now so get used to it.

[sec105]

"but this is getting to be ridiculous"

No. It IS rediculous!

If this were not Royce White the case would have been over one day after the theft occured. The UMPD is likely holding this thing up to "teach White a lesson". I can imagine White may have displayed an "attitude" to the police officers. "Attitude" seems to be something they have a hard time overlooking. JMO

The sad thing is that they can throw his name into any future crime investigations they have on campus if they can show he was "in the neighborhood". You think they won't?

As Captain Renault say's in Casablanca: "Round up the usual suspects"

[Sota1]

I can't comment on Royce any longer. Let's all move on and if something of significance transpires we discuss it then. I wish the best for this guy and hope he listens to Tubby, stays quiet, and maybe gets a second chance. He got himself into this mess. The sooner he realizes that he is lucky to have the chance to play college ball and not his right, the better.

[jamiche]

I'm going to guess that the unusual delay is an indication that there is more to the story than we realize. It also seems like, during a season when the team lacks an inside presence, Tubby isn't in a particular hurry to reinstate Royce.

[jovs]

As much as I'd like Royce to be cleared, isn't he obstructing justice by not answering the questions that aren't about him? If the people he were with that night were really is friends, wouldn't they turn themselves in for questioning and relieve Royce of the burden he has trying to protect them?

I have read articles by lawyers that state never say anything to police, especially when innocent.

[Monty519]

"White said he did cooperate with police, except that he wouldn't identify any other members of his group."

It's very simple, when Royce loses his thug mentality, he can play. Until then, the police can just let him hang out to dry. Royce, you have made a decision to not fully cooperate, and with that decision comes consequences. The "Stop Snitching" campaign proposed by hoodlums, dealers, rappers and Carmelo Anthony is one of the most moronic ideas ever to come out of the ghetto.

I think this clip from the cartoon "Boondocks" explains this phenomenon well lol:

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[Runext07]

I have read articles by lawyers that state never say anything to police, especially when innocent.

People who are innocent usually cooperate to clear their names. If White is innocent and had he cooperated, he probably would be playing with the team now. Now you want the UMPD to speed up the case and cooperate? White choose not to cooperate why should UMPD go out of their way to help White out? "What comes around goes around."

It is possible this is more then a theft of a laptop. What the investigators may be looking at is burglary of an occupied dwelling, which is a felony.

[MNCH]

I'm going to guess that the unusual delay is an indication that there is more to the story than we realize. It also seems like, during a season when the team lacks an inside presence, Tubby isn't in a particular hurry to reinstate Royce.

DING! DING! DING! We have a winner!:clap:

[UpnorthGo4]

If a suspect in a crime doesn't tell everything that they know, including the names of the people who they were with, they deserve no special consideration during the police investigation. Royce White is protecting his buddies and therefore is tainted by what happened that night. For this reason, White should not be reinstated by the U. Representing the U of M in a Gopher uniform is an honor and privilege that should only be granted to student/athletes who have earned it. White falls woefully short of any reasonable standard for wearing the maroon and gold. Tubby should kick him off the team permanently. The students, alumni, and fans of the Gopher BB team deserve much better than what Royce White has to offer.

[jmag21]

I'm going to guess that the unusual delay is an indication that there is more to the story than we realize. It also seems like, during a season when the team lacks an inside presence, Tubby isn't in a particular hurry to reinstate Royce.

I'd be surprised if Tubby's not getting major pressure from Maturi to keep Royce on the sidelines.

[Reserve]

Tubby should kick him off the team permanently. The students, alumni, and fans of the Gopher BB team deserve much better than what Royce White has to offer.

This is a recording. A recording.

Yes, we know Upnorth. You hate Royce White. I guess there's no prodigal kids in your family.

[jamiche]

I'd be surprised if Tubby's not getting major pressure from Maturi to keep Royce on the sidelines.

Tubby is a power coach. Generally power coaches are not subordinate to their AD's.

[Moses87]

Why can't Fuller get a quote from the laptop owner???

If the laptop owner "found" his laptop days later, why won't he clear things up???

If they have his identity, perhaps Fuller and Medcalf need to attack this angle of the story and the truth will come out.

[GopherJake]

I am glad you are not my friend....should change your moniker to GopherRat

Fine. GopherPhilly, if you were my friend and you had stolen a laptop and the police were asking me who was there and I had not only dreams of playing in the NBA but actually a realistic chance and a D1 scholarship sitting on the table and the rock star life that could follow if I play my cards right, I'd hand your name over in a heartbeat. Then, if you or someone beat the hell out of me over a laptop, I'd hand your name over again. Go ahead, call me a rat all you want. While you are out stealing things and beating people up, I'll be traveling all over, playing in front of adoring fans and maybe making millions of dollars.

If only I had the hops, the shot, the quickness, the size........ad nauseum.

Once again, I would love to have Royce on the team. But he needs to shut his big NBA-sized trap. Tubby and Maturi are handling this exactly right, IMO.

[UpnorthGo4]

Why can't Fuller get a quote from the laptop owner???

If the laptop owner "found" his laptop days later, why won't he clear things up???

If they have his identity, perhaps Fuller and Medcalf need to attack this angle of the story and the truth will come out.

The laptop owner probably does not know who stole the laptop, and who returned it. Just because stolen property is returned doesn't mean that a crime was not committed. Other than to testify at trial that he or she owned a laptop that was taken out of their room without permission, their testimony will not be needed to convict the perpetrator.

There was a theft of private property that occurred in the dorm that night. The U police are absolutely right for conducting a thorough investigation to try to determine the party or parties who were responsible for the theft. A society that claims to govern itself by the rule of law should do no less. The police have absolutely no obligation to rush their investigation to meet the arbitrary time schedule of possible suspects to the crime.

[Reserve]

The laptop owner probably does not know who stole the laptop.

The laptop owner has already indicated that Royce White didn't take it. That may carry some weight somewhere along the line.

[HopHead]

I have read articles by lawyers that state never say anything to police, especially when innocent.

It's pretty long, but I was directed to this video on the subject a couple of months ago. I found it very eye opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

[GopherJake]

It's pretty long, but I was directed to this video on the subject a couple of months ago. I found it very eye opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

This is indeed interesting - I've watched 1/3 of it. If this is the approach Royce is taking - I doubt it, but it could be - then the consequences of that include a slower conclusion to the case. This may not matter in many cases - and indeed, cops probably use this tactic to finally get the information they need - many people don't like the feeling of something 'hanging over their head' so they finally succumb.

[Monty519]

It's pretty long, but I was directed to this video on the subject a couple of months ago. I found it very eye opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

This is good stuff right there.

[Brew_recruit]

This is good stuff right there.

Great video, this should shut up anyone riping on royce for not rushing to talk to the umpd aka rent a cops with guns.

[ulfr]

People who are innocent usually cooperate to clear their names. If White is innocent and had he cooperated, he probably would be playing with the team now. Now you want the UMPD to speed up the case and cooperate? White choose not to cooperate why should UMPD go out of their way to help White out? "What comes around goes around."

It is possible this is more then a theft of a laptop. What the investigators may be looking at is burglary of an occupied dwelling, which is a felony.

1. Plenty of innocent people have cooperated with police only to find charges go forward.

2. Cases of this sort are usually concluded on campus with a perfunctory at best basis, as noted above by others. The length this has been dragged out means that the police likely have virtually no case, and are pursuing their own agenda. If credible witnesses and physical evidence existed they would have gone forward on what is a fairly minor case.

[underground629]

Or maybe just more crap like this... "Miner said the case isn't being treated any differently from normal. He said similar burglary cases don't usually take this long to investigate, but circumstances have contributed to the delay, including not being able to get to some student witnesses during Christmas break and scheduling issues with White and Tyler.

"It took awhile to set up a meeting with him," Miner said. "Once we did, we weren't getting the cooperation that he alluded we would get. That prolonged things a bit. The investigator was out ill for a week or two, and had a vacation there. Little things come up like that, too."


I'm going to guess that the unusual delay is an indication that there is more to the story than we realize. It also seems like, during a season when the team lacks an inside presence, Tubby isn't in a particular hurry to reinstate Royce.