Blackmon agrees to pre-trial program

June 22, 2006

EVAN WOODBERY
Sports Reporter
The Mobile Register

If Auburn linebacker avoids trouble for three months, his record will be wiped clean

AUBURN -- Auburn University redshirt freshman linebacker Tray Blackmon will have a clean record if he stays out of trouble for the next 90 days.

Blackmon, 20, was arrested May 13 in his hometown of LaGrange, Ga., on charges of underage drinking and being a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol.

The latter charge was dismissed during a court appearance last week, and Blackmon entered into a 90-day pre-trial program for the underage drinking charge.

If Blackmon avoids legal trouble through Sept. 19, the underage drinking charge would be dismissed and there would be no marks on his permanent record.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said he learned of the arrest when it was reported in newspapers earlier this month. He said Blackmon would face unspecified sanctions.

The only other pending legal matter facing the Auburn football team is the case of senior linebacker Kevin Sears.

Sears went on trial May 25 on charges of drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident and public intoxication. The charges stemmed from an early-morning, single-car accident on Nov. 5, hours after Auburn had returned home from defeating Kentucky.

Auburn municipal judge Joe Bailey did not rule immediately after the trial, but said he would issue a written verdict at a later date. As of Wednesday, a clerk said no verdict had been filed.