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College football
Mo Mitchell and two teammates denied they damaged cars.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 8, 2003
The Gainesville State Attorney's office has dropped all charges of criminal mischief against three Florida football players accused of breaking mirrors off cars in the early morning hours of Jan. 12, due to lack of evidence.
Sophomore offensive lineman Maurice "Mo" Mitchell, freshmen linebacker Brian Crum and defensive back Channing Crowder received sworn complaints from the Gainesville Police Department after mirrors were torn off several cars in downtown Gainesville. The damage was estimated at $1,200; the players denied involvement.
At the time, Gainesville police spokesman Keith Kameg said eight complaints were filed and that because the damage was in excess of $1,000, the players also could face felony charges.
But Friday, the state attorney's office issued a statement saying the "lone witness in the case has not been located and personal information provided by the witness as to his address was not correct."
No forensic evidence linked the players to the crimes. The state attorney's office could pursue the case at a later date if more evidence develops.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Signee Quinton Culberson faces a felony charge after being accused of fighting with Hinds County sheriff's deputies at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. Culberson, 17, a Provine High student, was charged with felony aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Wide receiver Matthew Thomas was suspended indefinitely for grabbing and verbally abusing a female student. Thomas was charged with simple assault for the attack on the unidentified 20-year-old student on Feb. 20, the school said.
TALLAHASSEE -- Matt Lynch pitched strongly into the eighth inning as Florida State extended its winning streak to 15 with a 5-4 win over Florida.
Lynch (5-0) gave up four runs and struck out four in 71/3 innings, Rhett James inherited what would have been the tying run at second with one out in the eighth, but struck out the only two batters he faced.
Daniel Hodges pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season for Florida State (18-1).
Holding a 4-2 lead, Florida State got the deciding run in the sixth inning when Chris Hart scored on Blake Balkcom's sacrifice fly. The Gators (12-2) responded with two runs on RBI doubles by Ben Harrison and C.J. Smith in the seventh to cut the lead to one run.
MIAMI 5, TENNESSEE 2: Gaby Sanchez hit a first-inning, three-run home run as the visiting Hurricanes scored early to beat the Vols. J.D. Cockroft (3-0) gave up two runs and six hits in 61/3 innings in his second career start. The loss was the second straight for Tennessee (10-3). George Huguet pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season and the 23rd of his career, moving him into a tie for fourth all-time at Miami (10-3).
USF 12, SIENA 2: David Austen retired the first 12 batters he faced, and Mike Cunningham tied the school record for hits with five to lead the host Bulls (9-4) past the Red Foxes (0-12).
HOCKEY: Harvard's Jennifer Botterill set the NCAA career scoring record with her 325th point on an assist in the Crimson's game against Cornell. That eclipsed the previous record of 324 points, set by Tim Ross of Michigan State's men's team in 1976.
VOLLEYBALL: South Florida senior Ale Domingos was awarded a postgraduate scholarship by the NCAA. The two-time All Conference-USA setter was one of 29 women selected, and the only athlete from the state.
-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.