Report: DA declines to prosecute Alabama players Cam Robinson, Hootie Jones
Published:
Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson and cornerback Hootie Jones will not be prosecuted for drug and weapons charges, according to a report from KNOE 8 News in Monroe (LA).
KNOE Exclusive. DA has declined prosecution of two Alabama football players arrested in Monroe on drug & weapon charges. Live at 12PM.
— KNOE 8 News (@KNOE8) June 20, 2016
DA declines to prosecute Bama players Cam Robinson & Hootie Jones due to insufficient evidence @KNOE8 @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/v6cJvisjda
— Nick Picht (@N_Picht) June 20, 2016
Initial charges listed for Robinson included possession of a controlled dangerous substance and illegal possession of stolen firearms. Jones was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and the illegal carrying of a weapon.
District Attorney Jerry Jones cited insufficient evidence in proving who was in possession of the gun and the drugs, which led him to drop the charges. However, AL.com reports that the clerk’s office said the case could proceed in the future if new evidence is presented.
For now, though, no future court dates are scheduled.
“I want to emphasize once again that the main reason I’m doing this is that I refuse to ruin the lives of two young men who have spent their adolescence and teenage years, working and sweating, while we were all in the air conditioning,” said Jones.
Robinson, who missed spring practice because of injuries, is set to begin his third season as the Crimson Tide’s starting left tackle and could be a potential first-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jones is a backup safety who has been competing for a starting position.
It is unclear whether Alabama coach Nick Saban will opt to take any disciplinary action of his own. Not long after the allegations, he left us with this: “We are aware of the situation involving Hootie Jones and Cam Robinson and are in the process of gathering facts to determine what internal actions need to be taken.”
We will monitor this story as it continues to develop.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
