Accuser asks police to drop charges against MSU RB Delton Williams
Michigan State running back Delton Williams was arrested March 16 for allegedly brandishing a firearm during a traffic incident, but the man who accused him asked police to drop the charges.
According to the Detroit Free-Press, the man “wrote a letter to Michigan State police” and asked for the charges to be dropped after looking up Williams’ background. Williams’ older brother was shot and killed outside a tavern in Erie, Pa., – Williams’ hometown – on Dec. 6. The crime remains unsolved.
The man who wrote the letter said he could understand “why (Williams) would have a weapon.” The 21-year-old Williams, who was suspended indefinitely from the team after his arrest, has a concealed weapons permit.
“I wouldn’t want him to be thrown out of school over a silly mistake he made in a moment of fear,” the man wrote. “I believe he will learn his lesson and move on to better things.”
Williams is currently facing a “brandishing a firearm in public” charge, a misdemeanor in Michigan. His pretrial hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was rescheduled to April 29 “for further investigation,” according to East Lansing District Court documents.
According to the police report, the incident began when Williams cut off the accuser after the two were at a stoplight. The man honked then honked at Williams. At that point, things escalated.
From the Free Press:
According to the police report, Williams’ 2011 Chevy Impala cut off the alleged victim on Shaw Lane after the two were at a stoplight on the night of March 16, and the man honked at Williams.
The man told police Williams slowed down, rolled down his window and yelled, “You got a problem (expletive)?” The man said Williams then pulled out a gun — for which he has a concealed weapons permit — and waved it around the inside of the car, though he did not point it.
The man was able to snap a photo of Williams’ license plate and police later tracked Williams down at his apartment. After first saying his Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol was kept in the trunk, he admitted to “raising the gun so the alleged victim could see it,” per the Free-Press.
Williams told the officer he was concerned for his safety.
“(He) explained from his past life experiences that he felt he needed to grab the weapon as he was concerned for his safety,” the officer wrote in his report.
Williams ran for 326 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore for the Spartans last season. With Jeremy Langford off to the NFL, Williams was expected to be in the mix for the starting role.
For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
