Pleading innocent -- for now

Attorney: 'Circumstances' could alter McPherson's plea

Adrian McPherson Timeline Nov. 25, 2002 McPherson booted from FSU amid blank-check investigation Nov. 26, 2002 Fish: Bowden bucks trend as laissez-faire disciplinarian Nov. 27, 2002 McPherson turns himself in to Tallahassee police Nov. 27, 2002 Fish: Shop owner says McPherson sought damage control too late Dec. 19, 2002 McPherson at center of gambling probe into Florida State Dec. 20, 2002 McPherson to ask NCAA to investigate Florida State Jan. 14, 2003 Troubled Ex-FSU QB enrolls at Murray State Jan. 24, 2003 Fish: This quarterback's tale just gets curiouser and curiouser Jan. 30, 2003 Two more charges filed against McPherson Feb. 5, 2003 Moving on, again: McPherson drops out of D-II Murray State Feb. 13, 2003 Fish: Even more bad check charges filed against ex-FSU quarterback March 4, 2003 McPherson charged with betting on Florida State games March 4, 2003 Fish: McPherson flat-out denies gambling on Seminole games March 5, 2003 Attorney: McPherson will plead innocent to gambling charges March 6, 2003 Prosecutors: McPherson could be charged with additional crimes April 4, 2003 Fish: How much did FSU know about McPherson's gambling? April 10, 2003 Attorney: McPherson was Seminoles' 'scapegoat' June 3, 2003 Fish: Trial could be dicey for FSU coaches June 4, 2003 Trial opens, friend testifies McPherson bet on FSU June 4, 2003 Fish: McPherson's ex-friends could have final word June 5, 2003 Bowden's testimony prompts failed request for mistrial June 5, 2003 Fish: Bowden testimony highlights second day of trial June 6, 2003 Judge declares mistrial in McPherson gambling case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson will plead innocent to a misdemeanor gambling charge, but that plea might change "if circumstances warrant," McPherson's lawyer said.

Attorney Grady Irvin Jr. also indicated in a statement that a trial could prompt testimony from university employees Irvin contends knew of illegal gambling allegations while McPherson played for the team.

McPherson, who started four games for Florida State last season, placed bets over the Internet on Florida State football games, including those he played in, school police said Tuesday. McPherson always bet on the Seminoles to win, the school said.

University Police Chief Carey Drayton said the misdemeanor charge against McPherson, and felony bookmaking charges against two other men, concluded a three-month, multiagency investigation.

"The work of the task force is complete," he said.

Athletic director Dave Hart could not be reached Wednesday evening. The school, which police said cooperated fully with the investigation, previously denied it had verifiable knowledge of alleged gambling.

Calls to Irvin's office were not returned following release of the statement, which questioned the school's knowledge of sports betting.

McPherson flat-out denied having gambled on Florida State football games in a Tuesday interview with SI.com's Mike Fish.

"We anticipate that the witness list will include a number of college athletes, as well as employees from Florida State University whom we believe had knowledge of illegal gambling long before Mr. McPherson's release from the team," the release said.

Meanwhile, Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden released a statement indicating his relief that McPherson was the only player charged.

"I'm obviously glad no other players were involved. I said in December that I would be shocked if any other of our players were involved, and I was correct, despite others' assumptions," he said.

Bookmaking charges were levied against former football equipment manager Jeffrey Inderhees and former student Dereck Delach.

Inderhees was booked at the Leon County Jail on Tuesday and released on bond. Delach is with his parents in Pennsylvania, school officials said.

Irvin said McPherson will appear in Tallahassee court Thursday for a case management meeting on earlier charges related to the theft of a blank check later cashed for $3,500.

 

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