Former NBA Star Keith Appling Reportedly Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder – According to a report by CNN, Keith Appling, a former NBA player who played for the Orlando Magic, has apparently entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree murder and a related felony firearm charge in relation to the death of Clyde Edmonds, a 66-year-old individual. As a result, he may face imprisonment.
Fox Sports has reported that the basketball star from Michigan State University, who was distantly related to Edmonds, entered a plea on the day when his trial was scheduled to commence. According to the Detroit Free Press, authorities discovered Edmonds on the front lawn of a Detroit residence on May 22, 2021, with multiple gunshot wounds.
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The same source stated that, allegedly, during an argument over a firearm, Appling shot Edmonds three times before leaving the area. Edmonds was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead. During the time of Appling’s arrest, a statement from prosecuting attorney Kym Worthy revealed that the basketball player’s girlfriend, Natalie Bannister, purportedly aided Appling in leaving the site of the incident.
As a result, she was charged with one count of Accessory After the Fact, and another count of Lying to a Peace Officer. According to the Detroit Free Press, Bannister entered a guilty plea to the charge of lying and was given a sentence of 18 months of probation.
The plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of the other two charges against her. “It has been clear that this man has been spiraling downward for some time,” prosecutor Worthy added in her statement. “Many of those that tried to intervene with this defendant were hoping that he would get on the right track and stay there.” “It is always tragic when one with so much promise, talent, and possibility is alleged to have committed the most serious of crimes,” she added.
Appling had previously been jailed for a year for carrying a concealed weapon in 2016, reported ESPN. While on parole for the crime in 2020, he was also charged with drug-related crimes after police discovered a “golf ball-sized” amount of heroin in his car, the outlet added.
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He then served 18 months probation, reported The Detroit Free Press. CNN also stated that as per Appling’s plea agreement, he will receive a prison sentence ranging from 18 to 40 years and an additional consecutive sentence of two years for the felony firearm charge. Appling’s sentencing is scheduled to occur on March 3.
