PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) A judge has issued a warrant for former University of Michigan basketball player Maurice Searight, who failed to appear as a witness in a murder trial.

Searight was subpoenaed as a prosecution witness in the slaying trial of Jerry Hardin, 17, of Pontiac.

Searight, who was cut from the Michigan basketball team after the season by new coach Tommy Amaker for violating team policies, was a no-show Thursday in Oakland County Circuit Court.

Assistant prosecutor Mark Bilkovic then requested a material witness warrant for Searight.

Judge Denise Langford Morris issued the warrant, which allows police to arrest Searight and keep him until he appears before the judge or posts $50,000.

Hardin is accused of killing Torrance Tolbert, 20, outside a home after a graduation party in June 2000, in Pontiac. He is charged with homicide open murder and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Bilkovic said Searight was expected to testify that he saw Hardin shooting at the victim as Hardin was running.

Searight"s testimony would put the gun in Hardin"s hands, as would another witness, Bilkovic told The Oakland Press.