Watch CBS News

Keith Appling Facing New Charges Of Carrying Concealed Weapon

DETROIT (WWJ) - He was trying out for professional basketball teams just last week -- but now former MSU basketball star Keith Appling was in court Sunday, again, charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

Attorney Cyril Hall says new allegations that the 24-year-old was found with a 40-caliber handgun Saturday aren't true.

Detroit police say Appling was in a Dodge Charger near 7 Mile and Hanna Street early Saturday morning, when it was pulled over for speeding.

The officer says Appling allegedly tried to hide the weapon under a seat. His Attorney Cyril Hall says a cousin was driving and the gun didn't belong to either of them.

Hall says that didn't happen: "He did not own that particular gun, he did not own that particular vehicle - did not have knowledge that a gun was in that motor vehicle before the police stopped him. He was not driving the car.

"In this particular case we know who had dominion and control over that particular item, we tried to provide that information to law enforcement - they did not want to accept it at that point in time -they felt that they had a report that was complete and they indicated that we should take that up in the courtroom and that's what we are going to do," said Hall.

Hall says the gun is registered to a passenger who had just gotten out of the car.

"This is an individual who had never been a behavioral problem - during his matriculation through the Detroit public school system - he never had any problems while he was in college. He graduated from college and that speaks volumes of this particular individual because we know; approximately 80 percent of the athletes do not graduate," added Hall.

Bond was set and Appling is expected back in court later this month. A not guilty plea was entered

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.