Cougars Reject Plea Bargain

One day after a defense attorney in the cases against Kevin Brown, Ramin White and Jason White said the Washington State University football players “have no defense” against charges of first-degree theft and residential burglary, defense attorneys have decided to try and find one.

The players and their attorneys rejected a plea agreement offered by Whitman County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ron Shirley. They asked for and were granted a continuance at their court appearance on Wednesday morning. They will be back in court for a June 11 arraignment.

“We need more time to investigate the case,” said Denis Tracy, Brown’s court-appointed lawyer.

The plea agreement offered by Shirley called for guilty pleas on all charges and a reduced sentence of 45 days in jail, Douglas Robinson, Ramin White’s attorney said. With good time served, the players could be out in 30 days.

If convicted of the felonies, the players could serve from six to 12 months.

If the players plead guilty or are found guilty they will be removed from the Washington State football team, Cougars coach Mike Price has said.

None of the three attorneys would say whether the cases against Brown, 20, Ramin White, 19, and Jason White, 20, would go to trial.

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, a junior running back, and Ramin White, a freshman defensive back, a block from the incident. Jason White, a sophomore wide receiver, was arrested in his apartment. The police recovered $1,900 worth of electronic equipment.

Taylor pleads not guilty

Washington State wide receiver Nian Taylor entered pleas of not guilty to charges of fourth-degree domestic violence and malicious mischief in the third degree in Whitman County District Court on Wednesday morning.

Taylor, a senior co-captain, was arrested and jailed Tuesday afternoon after being accused of following a 22-year-old woman to her apartment in the 1200 block of Northeast Hillside, kicking the door off the hinges and throwing it into the apartment, the police report said. Additionally, the report alleges the 6-2, 200-pound Taylor grabbed and hit the female and that he struck her in the chest with his fist.

The victim was bruised but refused medical attention, the police report said. The victim is Taylor’s former girlfriend.

The fourth-degree domestic assault charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the malicious mischief charge is 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 fine.

“I have suspended Nian Taylor from the football program indefinitely,” said Price. “I will await further disciplinary action until court action in this case has been completed.”

Taylor, who did not want to comment following his court appearance, has applied for a court-appointed attorney. A pretrial screening application deadline has been set for July 9.