KNOXVILLE - Former UT basketball player Tyler Smith faces a nearly two-year term on diversion after pleading guilty today to possessing a firearm with an altered serial number.
Smith appeared today in Knox County General Sessions Court along with UT players Brian Williams, 22, Melvin Goins, 22, and Cameron Tatum, 22. The young men were charged after a Knoxville Police Department officer stopped them about 11:30 a.m. Jan. 1 riding in a rental car with marijuana, two handguns, one of which had an altered serial number, and magazines for both weapons.
Smith, dismissed from the team by coach Bruce Pearl as a result of the incident, faces the harshest penalty, two 11-month, 29-day terms.
He will be allowed to serve the time on judicial diversion, which would allow him to clear his record if he remains trouble-free during the time period, after passing a TBI background check.
John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols, told Judge Geoff Emery the state will not oppose Smith's bid for diversion.
Attorney Donald A. Bosch said Smith plans to play basketball overseas and then make a bid to be drafted into the NBA.
Tatum, who was driving the black Dodge Charger, admitted to speeding, which amounted to a citation punishable by a fine.
Defense attorney Wade Davies said Tatum had no idea there were guns and pot in the car.
Williams pleaded guilty to simple possible of marijuana. He was placed on diversion for 11 months, 29 days on the misdemeanor charge.
Williams' attorney, David Eldridge, said Williams was eager to get back to focusing on basketball.
"He's going to Kentucky today," Eldridge said.
UT plays Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, Ky.
Charges against Goins were dismissed, although he has to pay court costs related to the marijuana charge. The gun charges were dismissed without conditions.
Goins attorney, Steve Oberman, said his client will now concentrate on "his studies and his basketball."
"Mr. Goins maintains that he was wrongfully accused and it should be made clear that this disposition is in no way to be construed as an admission of any wrongdoing on behalf of Mr. Goins," Oberman said in a prepared statement.
Gill said the players got no special treatment.
"That is the usual sentence for first-offenders," he said.
All four originally were charged with possessing weapons for the purpose of going armed. Williams and Goins also had been charged with simple possession of marijuana.
Pearl said he is happy the case has been resolved.
"Lessons have been learned, and we are all anxious to move on," Pearl said. "This outcome is about what we anticipated, and now we'll try to attain more positive things for ourselves and the University of Tennessee as we move forward."
Goins and Tatum were suspended for four games and Williams for nine games over the incident. The three suspensions have been completed.
Smith's agent, Jared Karnes, said his client will focus on pursuing a professional career.
"Tyler will continue to work with his trainers in Nashville, and now that this process has been concluded, we can start to seriously explore some professional opportunities. Tyler has had several opportunities come and go while this process played out. We're excited about moving forward."
The European professional leagues typically add free agents from late December through early February. Smith is hoping he can latch on with a team there.
Tennessee men's basketball writer Mike Griffith contributed to this report.
More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 102
TommyJack writes:
Some posters here will be upset that no life sentences imposed.
Halls3 writes:
I just can't believe Williams is back on the team after being convicted. I know depth is something needed but since Goins, Tatum, & Williams have come back the team chemistry is not the same & no one besides Chism is playing worth a darn again. I wonder if it has anything to do with the discipline of these players (especially Williams) & if it has caused a team rift no one will admit too.
FEARinSEC writes:
What? No tarring and feathering???
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Seems to me about the best result these players could have hoped for. It appears with a diversion that Tyler will have a chance to get his life back in order. I hope so, he was my favorite on the team. What he did was incredibly stupid but he should get a second chance, all of them should.
whhotchkiss#650703 writes:
How can the chemistry be affected by the "discipline" of the players? Goins and Tatum didnt commit a crime and Williams has yet to get any meaningful playing time. Plus, Brian Williams is one of the most well-liked players in the locker room according to my sources.
When will someone acknowledge that this team played out of their minds against Kansas and its unrealistic to expect them to play like that all season? The best player on the team is still gone and people are upset that they lose a couple games? It could be much worse right now.
Just enjoy the highs (Kansas, Ole Miss, Florida, South Carolina, etc.) and don't act all shocked by the lows (Vandy, Georgia, etc.).
VolJunkie writes:
Nice to have this done.
Go Vols!
phillyvol writes:
Just a general legal question. If charges against you are dismissed, then why is the onus on you to pay court costs?
crappieking writes:
You're right TJ. Those you speak of, never did anything wrong to deserve a second chance. I have always wondered how it feels to be perfect. GBO!
Volunatic writes:
I think they all should have gotten two consecutive life sentences, followed by capital punishment.
jclowers writes:
I don't think you can blame these players for Hopson sleepwalking through the first 30 minutes against Vanderbilt or the fact that noone other than Chism played with any intensity. Let's put this behind us and get focused for the big-time showdown in Lexington. Something tells me we will see a better effort than against Georgia and Vanderbilt.
jerseydevilvol writes:
I agree. It's still basketball and the game has to be played, and once the game starts, I don't think that any of the players are thinking about this. With the exception of Williams because he is on the bench because of it, so im sure its on his mind. I think the Vols are a good basketball team, not great, but they also have problems showing up for games.(usc and vandy twice) I also think that Vandy matches up against us very well, and it showed. I hope we don't have to see them down the line. I think this team can make a run in the tourny if they play consistent, make free throws, and shoot the ball better, that means you Mr. Hopson. Go Vols!
tartarsauce writes:
couldnt agree more kiss
cliffjumper50#205931 writes:
A recent article in the Florida Times-Union broke down where the money from court costs go. You have court officers involved who must be paid for their time. And then there is the judges retirement fund.
abi writes:
Lets move on life is about check and balances and whoever haven't sinned before should cast the first stone. its done and over with lets turn the page forward and move on .
Boll_WeeVol writes:
Williams record will be cleared if he does not get into legal trouble for a year. If that happens he won't ever have to admit to having been arrested in job interviews. He will have no criminal record from this incident. (Thats if). Happened to me when I was in college and I never had to tell anyone. My school never knew. he essentially has a clean slate starting now. However, if he screws up it all comes back. Same with Tyler it seems. I guess the decision was made that a potential felony was more of an issue than a misdemeanor. Makes sense to me.
mtnsvol44 writes:
These pampered and petted morons never learn do they?
volinSmyrna writes:
"Goins attorney, Steve Oberman, left court without comment."
That has to be a first, right?
phillyvol writes:
I have no doubt the money goes somewhere, but what I'm getting at is if the charges against you are dropped, then why should they (the court) have a claim to your money? It sounds like a scam to me. Think about it. The government can arrest you, drop charges and still get your money. Scam.
OrangePride writes:
I'm surprised, perhaps more disappointed than surprised, that there are people who believe that Williams should have been dismissed or been more strictly disciplined over this. Yes, marijuana is a serious infraction and cannot be left unaddressed. But missing half the season, receiving a judicial punishment, and accepting whatever other consequences CBP may have imposed is quite substantial. We have had other atheletes involved with marijuana over the years and Williams, to my mind, has endured far greater consequences. I believe he will have learned a very harsh lesson over all this and let's hope he and the VOLS can now rebuild the team balance and chemistry to navigate the rest of this very tough schedule. GO VOLS!
kkempf#226833 writes:
As far as I know, students who are convicted of misdemeanors are not dismissed from the university. It's more important to be fair to the individual players than it is to be have good team chemistry, and certainly it's just as much a part of Bruce's job to create chemistry with the players that he has as it is to decide how to discipline them.
WytheVol writes:
Every town, city, county and state police department does this with traffic violations everyday... No real difference.
woodwr#217203 writes:
AMEN!
It might be that short-handed Volunteer team would have run out of gas but with the criminal reinforcements they just look confused and unprepared.
I didn't like the way Williams played all season; he never seemed to show hustle or discipline.
milwaukeevibe writes:
good thing it was just gun charges. if it had been for a stolen vest, they would have had the swat team after them
byrd4vols writes:
At least they showed up for court. Smarter than I thought.
jmr68ut writes:
If anybody out there believes that some of these guys didn't know about the guns and Mary Jane in the car; well, then I have some land in Florida I'll sell you!!!
byrd4vols writes:
I wonder if Tyler will get his peacemakers back?
CoverOrange writes:
Why does Tyler get two sentences for one crime?
How does Tatum not know pot was in the car if the reason the KPD called the dogs for a search was the heavy smell of pot emanating from the car? Is Tatum naive or did the KPD just get lucky?
HOSSFLY writes:
located in wyth. too ..........there are a few of us up here in hooookie land.
charles57#1378642 writes:
I beg to disagree with those who state that Smith was The Vols best player. Although it is merely opinion, either way, I firmly believe Wayne Chism was, and is, the best player on the team, before, and after "the incident!"
scott_m99 writes:
you mean ocean front property in Kansas
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I was thinking of a week in the electric chair.
Mistakes made, now move on.
charles57#1378642 writes:
OrangePride..........You don't pay much attention do you? Neither player will learn from this experience, but especially Smith and Williams.
That ilk never does!
spcw101#621225 writes:
The only way to stem the tide of this is to do one of two things. Random drug testing including one at signing, one before the first game of the year and at least two others during the season. The NCAA should automatically suspend players for 1 year for the first violation and ban for the second. The second thing to do and you can't is stop recruiting these troubled teens. The NCAA is about money. I know Pearl is not a bad guy and wants to do everything for these guys but the NCAA needs to tie the schools hands on these matters so they are not allowed to give these people a break. Once a few are let go then they will get the message. I know the NBA is worse because you can spark a gun fight in a locker room and not get banned for life (I would go to jail and get fired) When the NCAA grows stones and stop being all about the money this kind of behavior will go away.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
We need to send these 4 to Newport for some criminal rehabilitation where they can learn a new trade, like automotive recycling, just in case BB doesn't work out!
GreeneVol_TN writes:
I know what you mean. I sat in Knoxville traffic court one day on a proof of insurance issue. I bet I watched 50 people appear and I'm estimating 45 of them had charges dismissed but 100% of them paid their $95 court costs. They made a fortune!
As for these guys, I'm glad this is over and done. I hope everyone developed some maturity and learn to keep theirselves out of bad situations.
Go Vols!
schymtz writes:
Pot-guns case against UT players resolved: Get it? It's done.
As the article reads, these STUDENTS were dealt with in a routine manner. Nobody posting here has suggested that this incident should have been swept under the rug or made to go away because these students happened to be basketball players. These students and Tennessee team have all payed dearly.
It's done.
Some fans may not yet be able to let go and get on with it. That is most unfortunate for those fans. These students are UT basketball players. The only names they should be called are "Volunteers," "young men," or "student athletes." Now these guys may actually have benefit of a rousing chorus of "Pants-On-the- Ground" from their coach and teammates right along with profound questions like "What kinda birds can't fly?" But too many times already, anonymous posters bushwhacked these guys with other names. While that venting of anger at the sense of betrayal they felt may have been understandable, it serves now only a distraction. It's done.
The team have a visitor this week who - as much as an athlete can - made the sun, moon and stars shine brighter in Big Orange Country. In the locker room and away from the cameras, I hope he said something like: "I understand. Been there - done that - time to let it go and move on: "PLAY BALL! BEAT KENTUCKY" I hope he was able to provide some healing, understanding, and growth. This sorry incident: It's done.
VOLinCO writes:
The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli
james#216392 writes:
The team chemistry is hurt by playin too many players. Earlier I said it and I say it again. Pearl uses too many players. He should pick 8 and that's all. When that's all we had, people played harder and were more consistant. How can you hit shots playing 3-4 minutes then sitting 3-4 minutes. Drop Williams, Pearl and Skyer. They don't help the team. They all are either lost in the game or do not possess the skills to play at this level. Hopson was a terror when he played 35 minutes.
kevin151 writes:
Williams needs jail time. All he does is foul people when he plays.........
schymtz writes:
Better Williams get the foul that Chism, and there will be plenty called at UK. But if fouls are your concern, jail might keep Brian from fouling, but the same purpose is served by bench time. Then Wayne can draw the fouls or we can stop defending under the basket.
khd1954 writes:
to bad my husband wasnt playing for UT he might not be spending 5 yrs for a dui with no other crime involved.
tennrich1 writes:
Is it on the beach?
tennrich1 writes:
Because, if its on the beach, send me $250.00 plus airfare and accomodations and I promise to purchase the property, site unseen.....no really i do!
tnaseevol writes:
I still think they are thugs, riding around in a car with loaded guns, pot is a dumb choice. Let's give them a second chance-they sure as heck got it from the courts-and see if they can stay out of trouble for the next year. Evidently Vinson couldn't.
crappieking writes:
Does the Florida land you're selling come with the house trailer?
KevDVol writes:
In Tennessee, a first offense DUI carries a maximum sentence of 11 months and 29 days. Most offenders serve the minimum 24 hrs. In fact, you have to have 4 DUI convitions to get a sentence of more than 11 months 29 days. So your husband must have done something else besides drive drunk to get those 5 years (which means a felony). Don't blame the Vols for your husband's problems. He did not get sentenced for a simple DUI in Tennessee. Go to Tennessee.gov and educate yourself.
Cldvols1 writes:
Hope these young men have learned their lesson. Go Vols beat KY liquid!!!
Titans_Vols777 writes:
Yeah you should have kept pretending you were an architect. you got lucky she didn't catch you in that "Im a marine biologist" lie. and tell Kramer to switch from titelist, calloway makes better ones.
Cldvols1 writes:
Lol nice! I found myself on top of the great beast looking directly into it's blowhole and I could tell something was obstructing its breathing:) Classic!
Titans_Vols777 writes:
You lonely over there? hahahah totally j/k.
GBO!!
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