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Charges keep away recruit
Willis sees little chance for plea deal in Georgia armed robbery case
CommentsThe USC women's basketball recruit charged with armed robbery in Georgia is not expected to make it to campus in time for the start of the season, if she makes it at all.
Monique Willis, a point guard from Beach High in Savannah, is scheduled for trial in November, and her lawyer indicated Thursday there is little chance of a plea deal.
"I do not see a negotiated resolution in this case," attorney Sage Brown said.
Willis was arrested in April on shoplifting and related charges for allegedly stealing clothing from a department store in a Savannah mall. Less than two weeks later, she was indicted for armed robbery and possession of a firearm — charges that stemmed from a string of robberies on Jan. 14, 2008.
Willis was arraigned on the latter charges this week. She has a hearing next week at which prosecutors will seek to revoke her bond because her pretrial supervising agency does not work with defendants charged with violent crimes, Brown said.
The 5-foot-8 Willis averaged 18.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in leading Beach to the Class 5A semifinals as a senior. She signed with USC last fall, and Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has said she would wait for Willis' case to be adjudicated before making a decision on her status.
Brown said Willis has not lost sight of basketball, but first must deal with the "very serious" charges she faces.
"She is committed to basketball and this situation," he said. "She has handled it as well as any young person could, but it is a tremendous burden. This is not something you frolic in the open fields about."
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
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