By AFRO Staff
Tennessee University football players (left to right) Janzen Jackson, Mike Edwards, and Nu'Keese Richardson were arrested Nov. 12 for attempted robbery.(Courtesy Photo/Tennessee University Athletics)
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(November 12, 2009) - The Associated Press has reported that three University of Tennessee football team players were arrested on Nov. 12 in Knoxville on charges of attempted robbery.
According to AP, Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson, receiver Nu'Keese Richardson and cornerback Mike Edwards—each freshmen—were detained after an attempted robbery outside of a convenience store near the school’s campus.
ESPN reported that police say the victims of the attempted robbery were sitting in their car outside a Pilot convenience store, parked beside a Toyota Prius, when a Black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt approached their vehicle, flashing what appeared as a handgun.
Police reports say the hooded male opened the driver’s side door and told the victim, “Give me everything you have,” while another Black male also wearing a hooded sweatshirt approached the passenger door and demanded the same thing, ESPN reported.
But the victims opened their empty wallets, proving they had no money; police reports say a third Black male then said “we’ve got to go.” The three males then rushed to the Prius and drove away, according to ESPN.
Knoxville City Police say the players were pulled over in the Prius driven by a woman named Marie Montmarquet, who was also arrested. A powered pellet gun was found in the car, along with two hooded sweatshirts, a marijuana grinder and a bag of what appeared as marijuana; one of the players in the car was wearing his team jersey, AP reported.
Jackson’s attorney, Don Bosch, told a Knoxville news station that his client has been released on a bond and says he’s innocent.
“As of this afternoon his bond has been reduced from $15,000 to being released on his recognizance,” Bosch told WBIR-TV. “Mr. Jackson vehemently asserts his innocence. And we hope that this will become apparent in the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Edwards was also released on a $19,500 bond, while Richardson is still held on the same bond price, ESPN reported.
Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton released a prepared statement this evening.
“At this time we are currently evaluating the circumstances surrounding an incident involving Mike Edwards, Janzen Jackson and Nu'Keese Richardson,” Hamilton stated. “Any decisions or comments regarding their status will not be made until the evaluations are complete.”