WSU Trio Faced With ‘No Defense’ Prosecutor’S Push For Guilty Plea Jeopardizes Football Careers

Kevin Brown, Jason White and Ramin White would be headed for jail and kicked off the Washington State football team if they accept a plea agreement today in Whitman County Superior Court.

The players, who were arrested May 16 by Pullman police and later charged with first-degree theft and residential burglary, “have no defense” to the charges, said one of the player’s attorneys, who did not want to be identified.

The plea agreement, offered by Ron Shirley, the Whitman County deputy chief prosecutor, stipulates that if the players plead guilty to the charges they would be sentenced to 45 days in jail. With good time served they could be out in 30 days.

If they do not accept the plea and are found guilty by trial they could face from six to 12 months in jail for the felonies.

An admission of guilt by the players would also mean their removal from the WSU football team. Cougars coach Mike Price has repeatedly said that if the players are found guilty they would be dismissed from the team. The players are currently suspended from the squad pending the outcome of their trial.

Brown, 20, rushed for 1,046 yards last season, a sophomore team record. Defensive back Ramin White, 19, will be a freshman and wide receiver Jason White, 20, will be a sophomore this coming season. Ramin White and Jason White are not related.

Douglas Robinson, Ramin White’s attorney, was investigating the possibility of entering the Alford plea. Under an Alford plea a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes he would likely be convicted at trial.

If Shirley is willing to allow the players to enter Alford pleas rather guilty pleas perhaps that might give them a chance to return to the football team.

“The net result for him (Shirley) is identical,” said Robinson, a Pullman-based attorney. “The penalties would be the same.”

But the official language of the Alford plea still has a guilty ring to it.

“If you enter that you say `Guilt by means of the Alford plea,”’ said Robinson.

According to police reports, the players were arrested early on the morning of May 16 after witnesses saw them breaking into an apartment at Campus Commons North. Pullman police arrested Brown and Ramin White a block from the incident. Jason White was arrested in his apartment. The police also recovered $1,900 worth of electronic equipment.