Trial date set for Michigan safety Marvin Robinson, lawyer expects plea to lesser charge
Michigan football player Marvin Robinson had a trial date set for second-degree home invasion charges, but his lawyer doesn’t believe it will get to trial.
Marvin Robinson
The junior safety from Winter Haven, Fla., allegedly broke into a dorm room in September and stole an Xbox. Judge David S. Swartz ordered a July 5 pretrial and July 23 trial during a hearing Thursday at Washtenaw County Trial Court.
Robinson’s lawyer, Gerry Mason, said he expects Robinson to plead guilty to a lesser charge under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which allows offenders aged 17 to 20 to be placed on probation without conviction to avoid a criminal record.
Mason first hopes to have the charges reduced to third-degree home invasion or simple larceny.
“We’re talking about something that was gone for less than 24 hours,” he said.
Mason claims Robinson, 20, never intended to steal the Xbox and that the episode was a misunderstanding.
Assistant prosecutor Brenda Taylor initially told Swartz she did not expect both sides to come to an agreement on the charges before trial, but after both sides spoke with Swartz at his bench, they appeared closer to an agreement. Swartz said he would entertain applying H.Y.T.A. should the sides come to an agreement on charges before the trial.
He also said he would entertain an early dismissal of the one-year probation that accompanies H.Y.T.A. if Robinson pays all fines and restitution to the victim.
Any charges to which Robinson pleads guilty under H.Y.T.A. would not appear on his record, but Mason said applying charges they feel are appropriate is important for perception, especially for public figures such as Robinson.
“It’s about advocating for the client,” Mason said.
Robinson had nine tackles in five games last year, but did not play in the final eight games. Coach Brady Hoke said at the time the safety's absence was due to an undisclosed injury.
Robinson is on the Wolverines' spring roster and participating in workouts.
Pete Cunningham covers sports and news for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2561, by email at petercunningham@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
Skyjockey43
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
I will say the same thing here as I've said about the Trayvon Martin case. We don't know what really happened here because we don't have all the facts. That's why we have courts of LAW. How many lives have been ruined due to mistakes made by the court of public opinion? Please withhold your indignation until an actual legal judgment has been rendered.
Scott Laux
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.
Trayvon Martin. Visiting his Dad and his dad's girlfriend. On a 10 day drug suspension from school. Once was found with stolen jewelry who he said an "anonymous" friend" gave him. Facebook photos quickly taken down cause they show him flipping off the world. Guy who shot him had cuts on the back of his head and a bloody nose. He was "the Beaver" and his parents were Ward and June Clever.
Scott Laux
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:03 a.m.
Coach Hoke: With tens of millions out of work, 50 million without health insurance, students racking up huge debt to make it through college without a job waiting- show some compassion. Throw him off the team. You aren't responsible for his upbringing. The University of Michigan isn't responsible for his upbringing. Set some standards during hard times. Give a scholarship to someone who deserves it.
Nic schweigert
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
How about second chances for something as stupid as this? He didn't beat his girlfriend. Didn't rape anyone. Oh no someone couldn't play halo for a few hours. You don't even know the circumstances or the details so I'd keep any idiotic thoughts to myself if I were you.
KeepingItReal
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
Scott: Who made any mention about his background? It seems to me that you are assuming that because this players is Black that something about his upbringing dictates that something like this would happen. This is one of the reason that I advocate foe elite Black athletes to attend historical Black Colleges so they can get grounded in what they will face. in the general community.
SPIKE ROBERSON
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:32 a.m.
Maybe somebody should "Take Back The Night" from Marvin.