ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997 TAG: 9704100059
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA THE ROANOKE TIMES
Walter Ford now has 10 extra days to serve after losing his appeal of a misdemeanor shoplifting conviction.
Virginia Tech football player Walter Ford went to court Wednesday to appeal a December shoplifting conviction. He left with his guilt affirmed, 10 extra days to serve and an investigation launched into his testimony that other players had used the same scam.
Judge Ray W. Grubbs found Ford guilty after the 21-year-old wide receiver from Hampton pleaded no contest in Montgomery County Circuit Court. In December, Ford had pleaded not guilty before his misdemeanor conviction in Blacksburg General District Court.
Ford was accused of paying 22 cents for $190 worth of Tech sweat shirts, hats and other items. The now-fired cashier in the case also was convicted of shoplifting and also lost her appeal Wednesday.
Grubbs increased Ford's sentence from 20 to 30 days in jail and from a $300 to a $500 fine. The judge sent Ford straight from the courtroom to the Montgomery County Jail to begin his sentence.
Jim Ellenson, Ford's lawyer, said in his 16-year practice he had seen only one other judgment so out of proportion with the charge and past record. "I'm absolutely astonished," Ellenson said. "That was a kid with two speeding tickets who admitted he was wrong."
But Ford also testified Wednesday that he was acting on behalf of other players and was using a ruse that others had employed to steal from the University Bookstore.
Virginia Tech Police Chief Mike Jones said Ford's allegation was serious. "We don't have much choice but to at least make an inquiry," Jones said. "There are a number of people we will have to talk to, and Mr. Ford is one."
Tech Athletic Director Dave Braine concurred with Jones and said football coach Frank Beamer also would investigate Ford's allegation.
Ford testified that he wanted merchandise and so did "a couple of other players on the team." Other players told him cashier Charlotte Champaco would give the "discount," Ford said. Both Ford and Champaco testified that they barely knew each other before the incident and it was not set up in advance.
Although in lower-court testimony Ford had denied he did anything wrong, he did admit the theft Wednesday. "I was wrong, I knew what I was doing," he said.
Champaco denied that she had helped other football players steal from the bookstore. She said the incident with Ford was the first and only time she failed to charge any customer full price.
Champaco testified Wednesday, "I realized I didn't charge for everything when I pressed the total button. I didn't go back to correct the mistake. I did it for no apparent reason, and that's where I'm at fault."
Grubbs changed Champaco's sentence from 20 days in jail and a $300 fine to a 60-day jail sentence with no fine. Champaco testified she is a student at New River Community College, and Grubbs said he would allow her to begin her sentence the day after classes concluded.
Ford's status with the Hokies was up in the air Wednesday.
After a rash of criminal charges against football players, Tech enacted a new disciplinary policy in February that moves the decision-making for university punishment out of the hands of coaches and into the athletic director's.
Braine said Wednesday that Ford's shoplifting charge occurred before the new disciplinary policy was in effect and therefore his case would be reviewed by Beamer, who would make the final decision as to whether Ford will return next season.
"He won't be treated any differently than anybody else," Braine said.
Beamer dismissed Ford from the team in October, but brought him back recently for spring practice "on a conditional basis," according to Braine. He said the fact the player went straight to jail means Ford will miss the remainder of spring practice and possibly final exams.
Ford's grandmother, Marie Ford, testified that her grandson's actions were not representative of his childhood, which was free of trouble. One of Ford's former high school teachers also testified that Ford never got in trouble at school and was a model student.
Marie Ford said her grandson's sentence was indicative of a system biased against black men and football players.
"Telling the truth don't mean nothing," Marie Ford said. "I'm not satisfied."
LENGTH: Medium: 83 linesby CNB