As Kinesiology junior Bernard Robinson, a starter on the University’s basketball team, awaits arrest on a warrant issued April 25, his athletic future comes into question.
- Paul Wong
- Robinson
Robinson, a 6-foot-6 forward, faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly fondling a University student in a West Quad Residence Hall stairwell last month. According to Department of Public Safety reports, the girl was able to flee the scene, but DPS officers apprehended Robinson later that night.
DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown said Robinson was later released pending a warrant. He went home to Washington D.C. but has since been contacted and asked to turn himself over to police.
Brown said county prosecutors and investigators are working with Robinson’s attorney, Nicholas Roumel, to secure a date for Robinson to come back to Ann Arbor. If convicted, Robinson could face up to two years in jail or a $500 fine.
Roumel, an attorney for Student Legal Services, said the case is moving forward and Robinson will plead not guilty when the time comes.
“He is remaining strong. He is determined to fight these allegations and clear his name,” Roumel said.
This is not the first time Robinson has had legal problems or been in trouble with the law.
In October 2000, Robinson, along with fellow basketball team member Avery Queen and former team member Kevin Gaines, pled guilty to being minors in possession of alcohol for a September 2000 incident in Taylor.
Queen and Robinson both paid $150 fines and completed one year of probation as a result of the incident. Former basketball coach Brian Ellerbe kicked Gaines off the team for repetitive failure to follow team rules.
When he came to the University as a freshman in 2000, Robinson was already considered one of the foundations of the team. Despite his importance to the squad, the recent allegations will be taken “very seriously,” basketball coach Tommy Amaker said in a statement released regarding the incident.
“We will continue to monitor the situation as it proceeds through the proper legal channels,” Amaker said.