ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 2, 1996 TAG: 9604020088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A grand jury indicted Virginia basketball recruit Melvin Whitaker Jr. on Monday on a charge of slashing the face of a Cavaliers football player during a pickup basketball game.
Whitaker will be tried on the malicious wounding charge June 26 in Albemarle County Circuit Court.
Whitaker, 19, of Garner, N.C., is a 6-foot-10 center. He was supposed to join the Virginia team this fall, but his status has been uncertain since his arrest.
Witnesses testified Monday that Whitaker argued with Maurice Anderson, a defensive tackle who was a redshirt freshman for the football team last season, during the basketball game March 5 at the Slaughter Recreation Center on UVa's campus.
They were halfway through a second game when they had another altercation.
After walking outside, Whitaker appeared to want to shake hands with Anderson in the lobby of the gym, witnesses said. But when Anderson extended his hand, Whitaker slashed him across the left cheek, witnesses said.
Anderson required 75 stitches to close the gash.
If convicted, Whitaker would face up to 20 years in prison.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB