Mistrial denied

Bowden testimony at Ex-QB's trial prompts failed request

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) -- The jury in the state's misdemeanor gambling case against former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson appeared hung Thursday night after nearly seven hours of deliberation, but the judge asked the panel come back for a final try Friday.

The six jurors sent a note to the judge at about 8:30 p.m. notifying him that they were unable to reach an unanimous verdict.

Harley then called them into the courtroom and asked them to return. He also said he'd provide a transcript of some testimony the jury requested earlier.

"I do want to give them sufficient time to deliberate," Leon County Judge Tim Harley told defense attorney Grady Irvin Jr., who objected to providing the transcript.

Jurors said they wanted more information regarding testimony from two of McPherson's boyhood friends, who said the athlete placed illegal bets over the Internet on college and pro games.

Irvin called Florida State coach Bobby Bowden to the stand earlier Thursday. Bowden didn't say much, but said enough for Irvin to ask for a mistrial, which was denied.

Bowden, clearly unhappy at being on the stand, testified that he had heard rumors that McPherson, 20, was gambling in June 2002, but an investigation found nothing. Irvin asked for a mistrial because the prosecution's case was limited to alleged gambling activity last October and November.

Irvin said outside the courtroom that he requested the mistrial because Bowden's testimony "got into an area the judge said they [prosecutors] can't get into."

Bowden largely described McPherson's playing skills during Irvin's questioning.

Irvin asked the coach if McPherson could have thrown an interception had he wanted to, intending to show that if McPherson had wanted to make Florida State lose because of gambling he would have had more interceptions.

Bowden said McPherson probably could have thrown interceptions if he'd wanted.

Prosecutors have not accused McPherson of betting against Florida State or throwing any games. They have said all of his bets were on the Seminoles to win.

McPherson faces 60 days in jail and a $500 fine if convicted and would likely be banned from ever playing college sports again.

Prosecutors have said McPherson used the account to place a bet on an Oct. 21 NFL game between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis and on his own team's games, including the Nov. 23 contest at North Carolina State when McPherson played poorly and the Seminoles lost decidedly.

McPherson's boyhood friends Otis Livingston and Melvin Capers Jr., testified Wednesday they knew of McPherson's gambling, including putting bets on Florida State games. They testified that they and McPherson shared an Internet gambling account.

McPherson, one of Florida's most celebrated prep athletes, was dismissed from the Florida State football squad in November. He is the only athlete ever acclaimed "Mr. Basketball" and "Mr. Football" in Florida in the same season for his prep achievements.

McPherson also faces separate felony charges this summer, accused in one case of stealing a check and in another of bouncing several checks.

 

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