Qwenton Freeman was there and no one wants to talk about it
This keeps getting worse. I would say 'wow, this is what it must be like to be a Bengals fan' but none of them them were suspected of shooting someone in the chest -- or eye, depending on the story. Turns out fellow Griz cornerback Qwenton Freeman was there when Jimmy did what he did. The Missoulian reports that LAPD investigators have flown up from Los Angeles to follow up on some leads and talk to Griz football players. It hasn't gone so well.
The players are now -- like just about always-- under a gag order forbidding them from speaking to the media. They must be so used to keeping their mouthes shut that they can't open them when they need to. No guys, this isn't Fritz Neighbor asking you whether or not Cole Bergquist has the number one spot on the QB depth chart locked up. It's the LAPD asking if you can help them figure out who killed someone's dad. Turns out Freeman could be taken into custody if he continues to be uncooperative. Good.
Freeman (right) is originally from Pasadena, but his mother lives in Lancaster, near where the murder took place. He first played ball at a community college, then was going to play at U-Dub but couldn't meet the academic requirements. Next was the University of Arizona, where he practiced but never made the squad. However, there is one interesting nugget of information from his tenure there I don't think many Griz fans knew.
Of course the administration is doing as their players have done and holding up in their office like they were hiding from a nuclear attack.
“Basically, we were just looking for cooperation from the players, especially if someone witnessed the incident,” [Sgt. Steve Rubino] said. “It just appeared that the players didn't really want to comment too much.
“It left a bad taste in our mouth that the players wouldn't cooperate with us. If it was on the other foot and their teammate got killed, they would be really forthcoming,” said Rubino, who returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday night. “Someone got murdered here and we're just looking for some cooperation. If it was one of their players, my phone would be ringing off the hook.”
The players are now -- like just about always-- under a gag order forbidding them from speaking to the media. They must be so used to keeping their mouthes shut that they can't open them when they need to. No guys, this isn't Fritz Neighbor asking you whether or not Cole Bergquist has the number one spot on the QB depth chart locked up. It's the LAPD asking if you can help them figure out who killed someone's dad. Turns out Freeman could be taken into custody if he continues to be uncooperative. Good.Freeman (right) is originally from Pasadena, but his mother lives in Lancaster, near where the murder took place. He first played ball at a community college, then was going to play at U-Dub but couldn't meet the academic requirements. Next was the University of Arizona, where he practiced but never made the squad. However, there is one interesting nugget of information from his tenure there I don't think many Griz fans knew.
In April 2006, Freeman was arrested for assault and criminal trespassing, both misdemeanors, by the University of Arizona Police Department.Isn't this fun? Us Griz fans were bickering over the move to I-A because there wasn't much to talk about besides all the Cat stuff. Well now we have something to call our own. Gee, this is swell.
Although details on the offenses were not available late Thursday, Freeman was convicted on the assault charge in Pima County Consolidated Justice Courts and was subsequently sentenced to a diversion program under the University of Arizona's supervision.
A diversion program is similar to community service. There was never any disposition in the trespassing case, according to records.
Because he did not complete the required community service, Freeman has two active warrants for his arrest out of Pima County, Ariz.
Of course the administration is doing as their players have done and holding up in their office like they were hiding from a nuclear attack.
UM football coach Bobby Hauck and athletic director Jim O'Day did not return repeated phone calls from the newspaper Thursday. Hauck has declined all requests for interviews since the allegations against Wilson surfaced, directing media inquiries to UM executive vice president Jim Foley.I don't know why but this conjures up images of George Costanza holding out in his extra large handicap bathroom. Someone needs to say something because if this type of information keeps filtering out through the press, it's only going to get worse. It appears as though the administration thinks they can keep the news from coming out through the media. Not going to happen. If Griz fans keep learning more discouraging news from strong reporting instead of honest coaches and administrators, this is going to leave a pretty nasty stain on the program. Plus, look at how it worked out for George.
Foley said he would not comment on Freeman's status on the football team, or about UM football players' unwillingness to cooperate with the Los Angeles homicide investigators. Nor would he discuss the standards of conduct to which UM holds its student-athletes.
“Officially, we're not going to comment on an ongoing criminal matter that's in the California criminal courts. Period,” Foley said.
