Webber's Sentencing Deferred

Greenblood94 · September 16, 2003

Chris Webber's Sentencing Is Deferred

By DAVID GOODMAN

Associated Press Writer

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal judge on Tuesday deferred for about two years the sentencing of Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber, who admitted lying to a grand jury about his dealings with a former University of Michigan basketball booster.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds instead ordered a provision to Webber's bond that requires him to volunteer at a six-week summer literacy program at Butzel Middle School in Detroit in the summers of 2004 and 2005. Webber must work at least 150 hours each summer.

Edmunds deferred sentencing until August or September of 2005.

In July, Webber pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of criminal contempt a day before jury selection was to begin in his perjury trial.

Webber and his father, Mayce Webber Jr., were accused of lying about money authorities say the player received from ex-booster Ed Martin. The maximum penalty would have been five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Edmunds said that she is convinced Webber understands the seriousness of his actions and is remorseful, but was undecided whether to treat Webber's criminal contempt plea as a felony or misdemeanor.

Webber did not speak at Tuesday's hearing, but afterward thanked the people of Detroit and Sacramento for their support and thanked Judge Edmunds. He also said he maintains strong emotional ties to the University of Michigan.

"My heart bleeds maize and blue," he said.

A day after Webber's plea, the charges against his father were dropped for "weak or inadmissible sufficient evidence," according to a court order.

In his plea, Webber admitted lying to the grand jury on Aug. 2, 2000, in saying he didn't recall giving money to Martin, who died earlier this year. Webber now acknowledges that in 1994 he gave Martin about $38,000 in cash as partial repayment for expenditures Martin made on his behalf.

In November, Michigan imposed sanctions on itself, including a one-year postseason ban, and forfeited 112 regular-season and tournament victories from five seasons, including its victory in the 1992 NCAA semifinal.

In May, the NCAA infractions committee banned Michigan from another year of postseason play, reduced the number of scholarships the school is allowed to have and placed the program on probation.

Martin, who died in February at age 69, pleaded guilty in May 2002 to conspiracy to launder money. He admitted he lent gambling money and other funds to several players while they were in school.