Donate
  • About
  • Rent College Pads
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
Search
News
Opinions
Sports
Classifieds
Comics
BMA
Events
Subscribe

Friday, January 27, 2023
Print Archive

Eastern Echo
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
Search

Subscribe to the Echo

Donate to The Echo

You can support the Echo by donating through the EMU Foundation and selecting to apply your gift to a specific fund. Any of the funds listed below will provide support to the Echo.

01049 -- EMU Echo Editor Endowed Scholarship:  Provides financial support for the current EMU Echo Editor.

02414 -- Scott Stephenson Eastern Echo Scholarship:  This expendable scholarship is for the benefit of student(s) in the School of Communication, Media & Theater Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences.  It will be awarded to a full or part-time junior or senior EMU student majoring in journalism and working for the Eastern Echo.  The student should be working to self-finance their education and not be eligible for need-based grants.

00825 -- Student Media Development:  Provides support for the Student Media program.

Thank you for supporting the Echo and EMU Student Media.

Give Now


10/13/2022, 7:38pm

Felony charges against star recruit Emoni Bates to be dropped after plea deal

Bates can resume activity at Eastern Michigan University after suspension.

By Marie White and Mackenzie Thompson
Felony charges against star recruit Emoni Bates to be dropped after plea deal

Emoni Bates pushes across the court during a Lincoln High School game against Okemos on Dec. 28, 2019. (Echo file photo)

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

Basketball standout Emoni Bates can resume activity at Eastern Michigan University after plea negotiations resulted in the dismissal of felony weapons charges filed in September.

Steve Haney, the attorney representing Bates, said Thursday he negotiated a plea deal with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office that drops felony weapons charges issued after his client was stopped by police in Superior Township.

Under the agreement, Bates will plead to one misdemeanor count of attempted illegal transportation of a weapon. After Bates completes a misdemeanor diversion program, the charge will be dismissed completely, Haney said.

When asked to comment, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office responded Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, with a brief written statement:

“As with all our cases, and pursuant to our ethical obligations, we will not be making public comment of substance until after the judicial process is concluded.”

Bates was arrested and charged with felony weapons violations Sept. 18. Washtenaw County deputies said they initiated a traffic stop when a vehicle failed to stop at the intersection of Nottingham and Clark roads, northeast of EMU’s campus, early that morning. During the stop, deputies said, a firearm was discovered in the vehicle, and Bates, who had been driving, was taken into custody.

Per EMU Athletics Department policy, Bates was suspended automatically from practice and playing privileges following the arrest. On Thursday, university athletic department officials said Bates' suspension has been lifted.

"The Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics has received notification that there is an agreement between the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office and Emoni Bates' defense team that would result in the felony charges being dismissed,” EMU Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee said in a written statement. “In accordance with EMU athletics policies, Mr. Bates is immediately reinstated to all athletic and campus activities.” 

Touted as the best player in the 2022 class, Bates announced in August that he would be playing for EMU, after spending his college freshman year in Memphis. He had also received offers from Kentucky and Michigan, but he said coming home felt like the right fit.

Bates, who grew up in the Ypsilanti area, was ranked by 247 Sports as the number one overall recruit of the 2022 class. He led Ypsilanti Township’s Lincoln High School to a Division 1 Championship and was named the Gatorade National Basketball player of the year for 2020.

With only two weeks left until the start of the 2022-23 basketball season, the Eagles are looking to make an appearance at the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998 under the leadership of head coach Stan Heath. 

The Eastern Echo is following this story and will provide updates in print and online.

Share



Related Stories

Emoni Bates pushes across the court during a Lincoln High School game against Okemos on Dec. 28, 2019. (Echo file photo)

EMU basketball star recruit Emoni Bates arrested on gun charges; court date set for Oct. 6

By Marie White

Map of fun & COVID-19 safe places to visit.

Fun spots in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor for college students to visit

By Caroline Murrel

Podcast: March, 15th, 2022

By Tre Briscoe


The Eastern Echo welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


1/24/2023, 8:00am

From tumbling to trending: EMU cheerleader gains 2.4 million views on recent TikTok

By Mackenzie Thompson

Eastern Michigan University cheerleader Olivia Fields' TikTok video at recent basketball game reaches 2.4 million views.


1/23/2023, 12:00am

EMU men's basketball game vs. NIU draws in record-breaking attendance


1/23/2023, 8:00am

EMU Police Department hosts free ALICE training sessions


1/25/2023, 3:00pm

Daiquan White: Born a dawg


Podcast


11/10/2022, 11:35am

TheBlockE Podcast


11/8/2022, 11:35am

Student Interview: Pritish Kokate - The Eastern Echo Podcast Ep. 5


11/3/2022, 5:58pm

Special episode: EMU Journalism Professor Dr. You Li speaks with EMU alumni Nathan Bomey


10/27/2022, 6:03pm

Interview w/ Ronia Cabansag - The Eastern Echo Podcast Ep. 3


Tweets by TheEasternEcho
Eastern Michigan Echo To Homepage
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Freelance
  • Submissions
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Distribution

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.