Former Michigan football captain James Whitley pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of carrying a concealed weapon and will likely be sentenced to one year of probation.
- Paul Wong
- Whitley
Whitley was dismissed from the team Dec. 14 after he was found carrying a loaded handgun at a Hill Street apartment complex.
As is standard when any plea of guilty is entered, Circuit Court Judge David Swartz ruled that Whitley waived his rights to a jury trial with the plea. A preliminary sentencing date was set for May 3.
Swartz stated that barring any unexpected developments in the investigation, Whitley will be sentenced to one year of probation.
The concealed weapons charge carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, but Whitley guilty plea will most likely save him from having to serve any prison time.
Whitley was brought in for questioning by the Ann Arbor Police Department when he was found carrying a Jennings 380 Auto semiautomatic handgun outside the apartment of then-teammate David Terrell”s ex-girlfriend.
Whitley told police he was at the apartment to help Terrell mediate a dispute between Terrell and his ex-girlfriend”s new boyfriend.
He was subsequently dismissed from the football team by coach Lloyd Carr.
Terrell has not been charged with any crime related to the incident.