Former University of Michigan football player's co-defendant takes plea
A man already convicted of setting a fire in a University of Michigan residence hall after a failed drug deal with a standout football recruit entered a plea deal on drug charges.
Timothy Burke, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a controlled substance in a scheme that involved former Wolverine Justin Feagin, court records show.
Prosecutors dropped two additional drug-related felonies and agreed not to charge him as a habitual offender. Sentencing is April 21.
Burke was convicted of arson of real property late last year for starting a fire in the West Quad dormitory on March 26, 2009. He was ordered to serve three years of probation and pay more than $17,000 in restitution.
No one was injured in the fire, but the subsequent police investigation unraveled a plot between Burke and Feagin to distribute cocaine on and around campus. The deal fell apart, and police said Burke set the fire in retaliation.
Feagin, a quarterback recruit from Florida, was dismissed from the football team last year and on Wednesday was sentenced to two years of probation.
His conviction could be expunged upon completion of his sentence.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
BlueInBama
Tue, Mar 16, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.
Our King is a gentle, and wise King. Mr Assner knows this, and his article is by no means an attack on Michigan football or our beloved King. Long Coach The King
GoBlue2009
Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
I think we're all losing sight of what's important here: Dantonio willingly allowed his players to enter a residence hall and assault fellow students. That would be more disgraceful to me than some botched scheme that never happen. Also: Dantonio allowed his players to stay on the team, while Feagin was dimissed from ours almost immediately. What does that tell you?
heartbreakM
Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 11:40 a.m.
Hmmmm, imagine if Tater ran the world: Headline: "Michigan football Continues Streak of 100 million straight games without a loss, names Theo offensive coordinator" Story: "Michigan, the greatest and rightest university in the world continues to dominate all the other bad universities in all sports, fields, and coaching hires because they are Michigan and do no wrong. Even when they lose, the victory column should reflect a win because it is bad press to claim a loss. The writers at my newspaper just love to write only good things about Michigan because, well, Michigan is just wonderful...." Get real here. Feagin, EX-MICHIGAN FOOTBALL PLAYER, and Burke, EX-MICHIGAN STUDENT, have everything to do with the news and with Michigan. If you don't like it, Tater, don't read it.
A2
Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 11:39 a.m.
Hey ART. "unraveled a plot between Burke and Feagin to distribute cocaine on and around campus" Please tell me where this "plot" was found. There was no plot found to sell drugs around campus. This charge only deals with the amount to be sold,over a gram is intent to distribute. Since there was never any drugs involved in this transaction, there was clearly no plot to "distribute ion and around campus" You should fix this since it is wrong, and it implies something that is not proven.
djm12652
Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
@walmartwolverine....so you're the only one to figure out the MSU and OSU conspiracy! LOL
BlueInBama
Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 7:57 a.m.
I was thinking the same exact thing, Theo! Burke has Spartan stink all over him!
TJ
Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Dumb, Dumb, Dumb... We are all getting tired of the negative articles guys. Quit wasting my time please... really-- an associate of a player that got kicked off the football team got sentenced -- really guys. you are a joke.