Star 'looking forward to competing'

As of Tuesday, March 26, 2013

STEPHEN NEWBOLD

BAHAMAS sprint star Stephen Newbold is 'looking forward to competing in this week's CARIFTA Games," his lawyer said today.

Joshua Zelman said he had been retained by Newbold to "fight charges against him," that were put last week.

Newbold, 18, and fellow Florida State University athlete Josh Mance were arrested by Tallahassee police around 4am last Thursday after a police officer responded to a 911 call and a resident¹s claim about two gunshots having been fired near the pool of the Campus Walk Apartment complex.

Newbold was charged with resisting arrest without violence and discharging a firearm in a public place. Mance, who turned 21 on Thursday, was charged with resisting arrest without violence and possessing a fake identification.

Both have been indefinitely suspended from athletic activity at FSU. Newbold appeared in court on Friday and was released on a $1,000 bond.

In a statement Mr Zelman said this morning: “Newbold strongly disputes the charges, as he did not discharge a firearm.

“Law enforcement did not conduct any forensic tests to determine if he had recently discharged a firearm and no firearm was located.

“Although Stephen ran from the scene, he did so because he was confronted by someone aiming a gun at him. Only later did he learn the person was a police officer.

“For the time being, Stephen is focused on his studies and training and he is looking forward to competing this week in the CARIFTA Games being held in his native Bahamas.”

TalRussell 11 years, 1 month ago

A new low may have been reached when a Bahamian "amateur" athlete needs a lawyer to act as their spokesman. What's next an appearance on Oprah's OWN network?

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by TalRussell

John 11 years, 1 month ago

With the amont of coverage this matter is getting (front page headlines for almost a week now, despite a number of murders , islandwide blackout, arson to one of the schools) he is fortunate to have someone to speak on his behalf). The good thing is the average Bahamian still supports him and hopes he will be vindicated of the charges. The fact that he is allowed to travel confirms that authorities do not consider it to be as serious a matter as we attempt to portray

PKMShack 11 years, 1 month ago

Only serious enough for FSU to take action. Shows where our standards are. Another example of slackness is the order of the day.

pilgrimagerock 11 years, 1 month ago

Well said TalRussell and PKMSnack. At 4am, this young man should have been sleeping or studying not hanging out with his friend.

bnewbold 11 years, 1 month ago

You Bahamians like to make your comments and don't no anything what happened, if you want to know something then ask otherwise keep your negative comments to yourself. You'll act like you know where your children at this very moment or what they are doing

John 11 years, 1 month ago

We know there are some (haters) who would wish to see every Bahamian fall in the gutter..so they can take our country over..won't be surprise if they supplying the guns and the drugs and inciting us to become violent against each other.. but there is a GOD

concernedcitizen 11 years, 1 month ago

OH YES ,THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE W/ A HIDDEN AGENDA TO PUSH US TO THE GUTTER AND TAKE OVER THE BAHAMAS ,,LMFAO ,,GET OVER YOUSELF BRO ,WE ARE NOT THE ISRAELITES ,,WE ARE ROBBING AND KILLING ONE ANOTHER ,,NO ONE ELSE ,,PART OF BEING INDEPENDANT MEANS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OURSELVES,,THE MORE WE BLAME OTHERS THE MORE WE LOOK WEAK,,DON,T U EVER GET TIRED OF TRYING TO BLAME OTHERS ,THE U/S .THE WHITE MAN FOR YOUR LOT IN LIFE ..

blueothello 11 years, 1 month ago

We are officially in an age of where honesty and principles have taken a back seat to "win at all costs". We are teaching our young people that you have to lie about everything, and take what you can, while you can, to get ahead. We are also teaching them that there are no consequences for their actions because it serves a "higher purpose".

My question for the BAAA's is this - If he is found guilty, will you stand behind him, or will you keep your silence again because he's already served his purpose? When the BAAA's says nothing, it is not protecting this athlete, or the reputation of the association. In the long run allowing him to compete may do more harm than good.

Whilst the FSU have taken the high road and banned the both athletes until everything is sorted out, the BAAA's has kept its silence because it lacks the moral fortitude and integrity to do the right thing. You can bet your bottom dollar that the other athlete isn't going to be seen competing for his country any time soon.

Can anyone name a sport where you are suspended from competing at a national level, but are allowed to compete at a higher international level? I can’t either. I’d also like to believe that if another country were to be in the same position with one of its key athletes, and were to compete against the Bahamas, I’m quite sure we’d call foul, wouldn’t we?

pilgrimagerock 11 years, 1 month ago

Well said, blueothello. Winning a metal takes precedence over values.

concernedcitizen 11 years, 1 month ago

WELL PUT ,AND WE WONDER WHY ARE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE NO MORALS ??

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