The Morning Dish – Wednesday, July 23rd
Dotson Charged: Carlton Dotson, the roommate and former teammate of missing Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy, has been charged with Dennehy’s murder. Dotson, who was denied bond at a hearing early yesterday, indicated that he would contest his transfer to Texas to face the charges brought by Waco Police. Defense attorney Purcel Luke indicated that he would not waive the right to a hearing on the transfer, and a hearing will occur within the next 30 days. A Waco police spokesman said that Dotson’s relatives have told authorities that Dennehy’s body is “buried in a large body of water”, and that authorities had a general location within McLennan County (which includes Waco) identified for a new search. Authorities in Texas have started searching a lake near Waco.
Reaction was sobering among the friends of the Baylor basketball community. Dennehy’s girlfriend, New Mexico track athlete Jessica De La Rosa, maintained hope that Dennehy was still alive. Dennehy’s mother and stepfather, Valerie and Brian Brabazon, while on Good Morning America pleaded for Dotson to tell authorities where Dennehy was. “Carlton, if you know where our son is, please let us know,” Valorie Brabazon said. Dennehy’s stepfather Brian Brabazon stated that he still feels “that Patrick is out there somewhere alive.”
Clemons Dropped: The star-cross’d journey of Missouri guard Ricky Clemons has come to an end. Clemons, who last month pled guilty to a reduced charge of assault, and this month broke the terms of his work release program, was told yesterday by Missouri AD Mike Alden while in prison that he was being dropped from his scholarship and was no longer a member of the Missouri basketball team. Clemons and head coach Quin Snyder had an agreement regarding Clemons’ conduct, and the violation of the work release program on July 4th broke that agreement. Clemons was suspended from the Tigers for the upcoming season, and would have had one remaining season of eligibility at Missouri.
Wayne State Player Drowns: Wayne State senior forward Justin Chapman drowned last Friday in a swimming accident. Chapman, who had been swimming with friends off a boat in Lake St. Clair offshore from Macomb County’s Metro Beach, dived into the water but did not surface. His body was recovered on Sunday, two days after the accident. Chapman averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds this past season for the Warriors, and was scheduled to graduate this December with a teaching degree. Funeral services will be held Saturday in his native Toledo, Ohio.
Henson has Cancer: New Mexico State head coach Lou Henson, 71, has been recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the body’s lymph system, the school announced. Henson, currently second among active coaches with 762 victories (Bobby Knight has 809), plans on continuing coaching this season. Henson, who is Illinois’ winningest coach with a 21-year record of 423-224, is in his second stint as coach of the Aggies, whom he coached from 1966-1975, before returning to the school in 1997.
