ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, July 16, 1996 TAG: 9607160057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DALLAS
SOURCE: Associated Press
The star of a courthouse spectacle featuring topless dancers, allegations of drug and sex parties and a murder-for-hire plot, Michael Irvin is heading back to the football field.
The Dallas Cowboys receiver pleaded no contest Monday to cocaine possession in a deal that keeps him out of jail. The NFL, however, still can punish him.
But following formal sentencing today, Irvin will be free to join the Cowboys' training camp, which opens Wednesday in Austin.
``Michael is glad to get this behind him and get back on with his life. He intends to get down to Austin to be part of the training camp and to help the Dallas Cowboys,'' attorney Don Godwin said. ``He wants to get back to contribute to the Cowboys and their goal of getting back to a Super Bowl.''
In court, Irvin stood alongside his attorneys with his hands clasped behind his back as State District Judge Manny Alvarez went over the terms of the plea arrangement. Irvin answered ``Yes, sir'' to most questions, but would not comment further because of a gag order.
In exchange for Irvin's plea, prosecutors agreed to defer a sentence of up to 20 years for four years of probation. If Irvin stays out of trouble for four years, the judgment is cleared. If he violates probation, he faces the full sentence.
The deal also included a $10,000 fine and dismissal of misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. Irvin also must undergo frequent drug testing.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Irvin's status will be reviewed under the terms of the league's substance abuse policy, and a ruling is expected ``soon.''
Running back Bam Morris, who pleaded guilty in Texas on June 27 to marijuana possession, was suspended for four games Monday.
Irvin could be subject to the same policy, which allows commissioner Paul Tagliabue to suspend a player who violates a drug law for up to four games. If Irvin has tested positive before - something which is unknown at this time - he could be suspended for an entire season.
Irvin's agent, Steve Endicott, had no immediate comment.
Defense attorneys said the beginning of training camp was unrelated to the plea bargain. Prosecutor Mike Gillett said attorneys have been discussing a possible plea ``from indictment to today.''
``I think the important thing is it's been disposed of in what I see as a positive manner for our office and for Mr. Irvin,'' Gillett said.
The trial has unfolded in a bizarre atmosphere. In April, Irvin said extortionists had threatened to blow up his lawyer's office if the player didn't pay $120,000; there were reports of a rented home nicknamed the ``White House'' where Cowboys players could party and take drugs.
The plea bargain followed testimony Friday by the prosecution's star witness, Rachelle Smith, that Irvin had used drugs at a Residence Inn by Marriott less than a month before a March 4 police raid at a room there that netted cocaine and marijuana.
Defense attorneys had been expected to attack the credibility of Smith, a topless dancer whose boyfriend, a former Dallas police officer, was accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill Irvin.
Under a grant of immunity from prosecutors, Smith, 24, also testified that Irvin threatened and strip-searched her twice after she testified before the Dallas County grand jury that indicted him in April on drug possession charges.
Smith's boyfriend, Johnnie Hernandez, is awaiting trial on a charge of solicitation of murder after he allegedly tried to have Irvin killed.
Also indicted after the hotel bust were topless dancers Angela Beck and Jasmine Nabwangu, who were in the motel suite with Irvin. Smith, outside the presence of the jury, also testified that she, Irvin and Beck engaged in group sex.
Fullback Daryl Johnston said the trial appeared to have taken its toll on Irvin when he saw the receiver Sunday.
``You could see it in his face. He looked thin, he looked tired,'' Johnston said. ``Maybe this is the best thing for him because it will give him some closure now. He can get on with his life.''
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin turns away fromby CNBreporters Monday as he leaves a Dallas courtroom after pleading no
contest to a felony drug charge. color.