McPherson gambling trial begins Wed.

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'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson goes on trial Wednesday on a charge of gambling. Prosecutors say he made bets last season.

Police charged McPherson with the gambling charge in December following an investigation in the stolen check case.

With a national television audience at hand, a young prosecutor will square off against a flashy defense counsel.

McPherson could get 60 days in jail and a 500 dollar fine. But more importantly, his career as a college football player could be at stake. And any chance of a professional career also could end.

The prosecutor is 27-year-old assistant state attorney Georgia Cappleman. She's the daughter of former Seminole quarterback star Bill Cappleman.

Defense attorney Grady Irvin Jr. relishes the spotlight. Irvin represented the Reverend Henry Lyons, former president of the National Baptist Convention USA. Lyons pleaded guilty in 1999 to failing to pay taxes on more than $1 million dollars in income.

The preacher got four years in prison.

McPherson faces a separate trial beginning the week of July 14 on felony charges in the check case as well as for writing several bad checks last year.

A former "Mr. Football" and "Mr. Basketball" in Florida -- given to the state high school player of the year in those sports -- McPherson is the only person to capture both honors in the same season in the Sunshine State.

He appeared in nine games for Florida State last season, completing 80 of 155 passes for 1,017 yards with 12 TD passes and only one interception. He went 3-1 in his four starts, losing 17-7 at North Carolina State in November when the offense failed to score.

 

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