BREAKING NEWS

King, Seymour reach plea agreement

Former Central Michigan University football players James Earl King Jr. and Jerry Lewis Seymour reached a plea agreement today in the DeMarcus Graham beating death trial.

King and Seymour pleaded no contest to a high court misdemeanor of attempt to assault with a dangerous weapon at the Isabella County Courthouse. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison.

Isabella County Trial Judge William T. Ervin set a sentencing date for both defendants for Aug. 21. King's will be at 1:15 p.m. and Seymour's will take place at 2:15 p.m.

Warren E. Harris, King's attorney, said Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick brought forth the agreement after the conclusion of Monday's proceedings.

"The plan that was offered I believe was a fair resolution to the case," Harris told reporters outside the courthouse. "James King is not a murderer or anything like that. He can now move on with his life."

Burdick said he felt frustrated and disappointed not being able to move forward with the trial.

"I had a meeting with the defense attorneys (Monday) to see if they had interests in settling," Burdick said. "We had meetings this morning with the attorneys individually (to finalize the plea)."

Graham, a Flint native, was beaten unconscious outside Shaboom Pub Club, 106 Court St., in the early morning hours of June 25, 2004. He died three weeks later on July 14, 2004 in a Saginaw hospital.

Seymour and King faced charges of second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. If convicted, the respective maximum penalties they could have received were life in prison, 15 years in prison and 10 years in prison.

"It was a tough decision (to take the plea), but it was basically a fair resolution," said Jeffrey Edison, one of Seymour's attorneys. "We are committed to Jerry Seymour. He fully intends to pursue his college football career.”