Witness: Woman In Cleaves Sex Assault Case Screamed For Help

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - A witness says a woman was crying and screaming while former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves twice forced her back into a Flint-area motel room.

A judge is hearing testimony Tuesday to determine if Cleaves goes to trial on sexual assault charges in connection with the alleged rape after a charity golf outing in September 2015.

Coleen Dowdall recalled what she saw at the Knights Inn in Mundy Township. She says she heard yelling and opened her door.

Dowdall says Cleaves was naked while trying to pull a woman back into a room. She says moments later the scene was repeated, with Cleaves still naked and the woman wearing a bra and underwear.

Dowdall says the woman was screaming. A 911 call was played in court Tuesday, and the judge also watched a video.

Court proceedings are expected to last three days.

Cleaves has pleaded not guilty to third degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment and and other charges — insisting that he and the alleged victim had consensual sex.

He's out on a $500,000 bond and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Cleaves led Michigan State to the NCAA basketball championship in 2000, winning the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 14th overall pick and appeared in 167 games for four NBA teams.

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