Colleges

Charges dropped against UF's Joiner

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published October 6, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Safety Tony Joiner is likely to play tonight against LSU.

BATON ROUGE, La. - Florida safety Tony Joiner most likely will play tonight when the No. 9 Gators take on No. 1 LSU after felony burglary charges against him were dropped Friday afternoon.

Gainesville State Attorney Bill Cervone has decided not to pursue charges against Joiner, who was arrested early Tuesday morning at Watson's Towing after, according to police, he tried to steal his girlfriend's car from the lot without paying the $76 towing bill.

Despite police 911 calls in which employees working that night said a burglary was occurring, property owner Stan Forron, who was not at the scene when the incident occurred, said after talking with employees he believed it was a "misunderstanding" and that Joiner didn't intend to steal the car.

Based on that, the State Attorney's office said it had no case.

"We reviewed the case reports," spokesman Spencer Mann said. "The victim was adamant that he sustained no loss or damage and does not want to pursue criminal charges. He believes it's a misunderstanding."

Joiner is in Baton Rouge with the team, but Florida officials would not say if he would play tonight. But comments by coach Urban Meyer on Thursday seem to indicate he will. Meyer said he would not allow Joiner to play if he were still facing felony charges, but did not rule out Joiner taking the field if the charges were lessened or dismissed.

Cervone was not available for comment Friday.

Joiner, 21, has been stripped of his captain's status and Meyer said he has been and will continue to be punished.

"Tony being out late on Monday is not consistent with the expectations of a leader and a team captain of our football program," he said in a statement Friday. "Tony is no longer captain of the Gator football team, and he will pay a heavy price for his behavior internally for the next few weeks."

[Last modified October 5, 2007, 22:31:14]