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Pierce dismissed from Iowa basketball team

OSUBasketballJunkie

Never Forget 31-0
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNWZic251BF9TAzI1NjY0ODI1BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-iowa-piercedismissed&prov=ap&type=lgns

By TODD DVORAK, Associated Press Writer
February 2, 2005


IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce was kicked off the team Wednesday while under investigation by West Des Moines police for intent to commit sexual abuse, burglary and other crimes at the home of a former girlfriend.

The 21-year-old Pierce met for more than two hours Wednesday night with investigators who are considering whether to file criminal charges against the junior guard, Pierce's attorney, Alfredo Parrish said.

``He answered all of their questions,'' said Parrish, who declined to comment on details of the interview but earlier characterized the incident as a misunderstanding.

http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12938ah...//www.nflplayers.com/news/player_journal.aspxParrish said Iowa athletic officials acted prematurely in taking action against Pierce.

``They should have waited until all the facts were out,'' Parrish said. ``By them jumping way ahead of the curve ... we believe they have not acted either in the best interest of the university or the best interest of the students, and clearly not in the best interest of Pierre Pierce.''

A police report estimated damage from last week's episode at about $1,300, including a television, stereo, photographs and bedroom furniture.

``Effective immediately, Pierre Pierce has been dismissed from the University of Iowa men's basketball team,'' coach Steve Alford said in a statement. ``I regret this step has become necessary, but Pierre has betrayed the trust we placed in him when he was given a second chance two years ago.''

In 2002, Pierce was charged with third-degree sexual abuse. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault causing injury, but the case and the way in which it was handled by university administrators triggered two faculty-led inquiries.

Pierce received a deferred judgment, so the charge was erased from his record after he successfully completed a year of probation, counseling and 200 hours of community service.

He sat out the 2002-03 basketball season as a redshirt year and did not lose any eligibility. Pierce returned to the team last season.

His dismissal leaves a big scoring gap on a team that was ranked in the Top 25 as recently as last week. Pierce has led Iowa (15-5, 3-4 Big Ten) with a 17.8-point average, and he scored 25 points to help beat Indiana 72-57 Saturday in the Hawkeyes' most recent game.

``Coach Steve Alford, athletic director Bob Bowlsby and I agree that it was time to take decisive action by removing Mr. Pierce from the basketball team permanently,'' Iowa president David Skorton said. ``We agree that Mr. Pierce has violated the standards of behavior that we expect and demand from all of our student athletes.''

Bowlsby said Pierce's academic status is not affected. ``Whether charges are filed or not, it seems to me ... he's violated the trust we gave him two years ago,'' Bowlsby said, adding that Pierce's actions put the team ``in an embarrassing and compromising situation.''
This guy is one of the best guards in the big ten, he lit up OSU earlier this season.....:(
 
CNNSI


Iowa's Pierce pleads not guilty

Posted: Monday February 28, 2005 4:02PM; Updated: Monday February 28, 2005 8:59PM
ADEL, Iowa (AP) -- Former Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend and ransacked her home.

In a written plea filed in Dallas County District Court, Pierce asked to be tried within 90 days, meaning his trial must begin by mid-May. If convicted on all charges, Pierce could be sentenced to up to 56 years in prison and fined $9,000.


Pierce, 21, who was to have been arraigned Friday, was charged in February with two counts of burglary, assault with intent to commit sexual assault and criminal mischief. The burglary and assault charges are felonies. Fourth-degree criminal mischief is a serious misdemeanor.

Police say Pierce choked his former girlfriend at her West Des Moines condominium on Jan. 27, threatened her with a knife and ripped off her clothes, according to court documents. He also was charged with stealing a laptop and camera, which were found during a search of Pierce's Iowa City apartment.

Coach Steve Alford dismissed Pierce from the team Feb. 2, two days after police named him a suspect. Alford said at the time that Pierce had "betrayed the trust" the university had shown when he was allowed back on the team in the fall of 2003 after a sexual abuse case.

He originally was charged with third-degree sexual abuse but was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of assault causing injury. Pierce sat out the 2002-03 season and received a deferred judgment, so the charge was erased from his record after he completed community service and a year of probation.

Pierce, a junior from Westmont, Ill., was Iowa's leading scorer when he was booted. The Hawkeyes have lost five of the seven games they've played without him.

Authorities originally charged Pierce with burglary, which is a felony, and five misdemeanors. He appeared in court Feb. 9 and was released from custody a short time later without having to post bond.

His attorney, Alfred Parrish, said Pierce would fight the charges "with every fiber in his soul." Since then, Pierce has been attending classes at Iowa.

Prosecutors amended the earlier charges to the three felonies and one misdemeanor on Feb. 18, three days after Alford rejected Pierce's appeal to rejoin the team.

A hearing is scheduled in Dallas County District Court on Friday to consider Parrish's appeal to drop the burglary charges. Parrish contends that prosecutors don't have the "aggravating circumstances" to support the charge.
This guy was one of the top players in the Big Ten this year, what a shame.
 
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This is a kid who could have made it to the NBA with his ability.....


Pierre Pierce sentenced to two years in prisonBy TODD DVORAK, Associated Press Writer
October 28, 2005
ADEL, Iowa (AP) -- Former Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for assaulting a former girlfriend at her apartment last January.

The 22-year-old player wept as he hugged his parents and relatives after he was sentenced. Moments later, he was handcuffed and escorted a block down the sidewalk to the county jail.
Reading from notes, Pierce apologized to the victim and blamed himself for what happened.

``Not a single day goes by that I don't think about how things could have been different,'' Pierce told the judge. ``Truly, deep down in my heart, I am sorry for my actions.''


Pierce pleaded guilty in August to third-degree burglary, a felony, and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and fourth-degree criminal mischief -- all misdemeanors.

Judge Gregory Hulse gave Pierce a five-year suspended sentence on the burglary charge. But Hulse sentenced Pierce to two years in prison on the assault charge and one year each for false imprisonment and criminal mischief, ordering the sentences be served concurrently.

With good behavior and completion of treatment as a sex offender, Pierce could be released after serving 11 months, said Fred Scaletta, a corrections department spokesman.

Pierce has 30 days to appeal his sentence, but lawyer Alfredo Parrish said he would advise Pierce not to do so.

The charges were filed after police began investigating a Jan. 27 disturbance a the West Des Moines home of a woman Pierce had been dating for 2 1/2 years.

After police confirmed Pierce was the focus of their investigation, Iowa basketball coach Steve Alford dismissed him from the team. At the time, Pierce was the Hawkeyes' leading scorer and best defender.

In 2002, Pierce was charged with third-degree sexual abuse, but pleaded guilty to a lesser crime and was given a deferred judgment.

``This isn't a case about giving a young man a second chance,'' said Patricia Houlihan, assistant attorney general. ``This is a case about holding a repeat offender accountable.'' Pierce will be transferred early next week to the Oakdale Treatment Facility in Coralville, where he will be evaluated.
 
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cnnsi.com

8/8/06

Ex-Hawkeye Pierce stays in prison

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Former University of Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce, convicted last fall of assaulting and terrorizing his girlfriend, will not be released from prison early.

Pierce, originally from Westmont, Ill., learned Monday that one of five members of the Iowa parole board rejected his early release, forcing him to remain in prison until Sept. 24.

The panel's vote had to be unanimous for Pierce to get out early.

Pierce's attorney Alfredo Parrish called the decision an "insignificant gesture" because Pierce already is close to being released.

Three board members voted last month to parole Pierce, and he was told he would know the remaining two votes within 30 days. It's unknown which of the members rejected parole.

Pierce, 23, pleaded guilty last August to three crimes stemming from a January incident at the West Des Moines home of a former girlfriend.

Just minutes before his trial was to begin, Pierce reached a plea bargain negotiated with the Iowa attorney general's office. Under the deal, Pierce pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

He was sentenced up to two years in prison, but his sentence was cut in half due to good behavior and completion of sex offender treatment.

Pierce was dismissed from the Iowa basketball team by coach Steve Alford within days of police confirming that Pierce was being investigated. At the time, Pierce was the third-leading scorer in the Big Ten and one of three team captains.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
 
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cnnsi.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) -- Former University of Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce is a free man.

Pierce, who spent the past 11 months in the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility after he was convicted last fall of assaulting and terrorizing his girlfriend, was released Sunday. Pierce will remain on probation for four years and a month, said Fred Scaletta, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Pierce walked out of jail a little after 8 a.m., wearing a white track suit and flanked by his father. Pierce declined comment to reporters, saying only that he was "glad to be free."

Pierce, his father and another man then hopped into a car and drove off while a few prisoners shouted his name.

Scaletta said Pierce is scheduled to meet with a probation officer next week to outline the terms of his probation. Pierce will stay at a residence in Johnson County after Illinois authorities rejected a transfer of supervision residence plan.

Pierce, 23, formerly of Westmont, Ill., entered a plea agreement with the Iowa attorney general's office to settle charges stemming from a January 2005 incident at the West Des Moines home of a former girlfriend.

Pierce pleaded guilty in August 2005 to third-degree burglary, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

He was sentenced up to two years in prison, but his sentence was reduced due to good behavior and completion of sex offender treatment.

Pierce said at a parole board hearing in July that he made arrangements to live with a coach in Iowa City, where he could finish his degree and pursue a professional basketball career.

Pierce was dismissed from the Iowa basketball team by coach Steve Alford within days of police confirming that Pierce was being investigated.

At the time, Pierce was the third-leading scorer in the Big Ten. Pierce led the Hawkeyes with 16.1 points a game as a sophomore in 2003-04.
 
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Iowa falls in exhibition tour as former Hawkeye Pierre Pierce buries game-winning shot

Former Iowa guard Pierre Pierce ? kicked off the team eight years ago following a second sexual assault charge ? buried the game-winning, buzzer-beating jumper against his former school as Pierce and Hyeres-Toulon Basket defeated the Hawkeyes 84-82 in overtime during Iowa?s exhibition tour in France.
The 30-year old Pierce is playing professionally in France for Hyeres-Toulon Basket and led all scorers in the contest with 19 points.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcspo...wkeye-pierre-pierce-buries-game-winning-shot/
 
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