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ELLICOTT CITY, Md. -- A handgun charge against Los Angeles Clippers forward Chris Wilcox was dismissed Tuesday. The former Maryland star was arrested in June after police found a gun in his car during a traffic stop.
The discovery probably would not have been admissible in court because Wilcox should have been allowed to leave the scene before the arrival of a canine unit that found the weapon, Howard County State's Attorney Tim McCrone said.
"The police officers acted in good faith, but if you miss it by a minute you miss it," McCrone said.
Wilcox could not provide documentation at the time that the gun belonged to him or that he had a permit to carry the weapon, police said.
The player's lawyer, Rebecca Nitkin, said Tuesday the gun was registered in North Carolina and Wilcox had begun carrying it because he was robbed at gunpoint a few years ago.
She said a number of professional athletes are growing concerned that their wealth makes them a potential target of violent crime, noting that Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jerome McDougle was shot last week in Miami by three teenagers during an apparent holdup.
She added that Wilcox's demeanor toward authorities on the night of his arrest contributed to prosecutors' decision to drop the charges.
"He was considered by all 12 police officers to be incredibly respectful and polite," Nitkin said.
Wilcox helped Maryland reach the Final Four in his two seasons, including the NCAA championship during his sophomore year. The Clippers selected him with the eighth pick in the 2002 draft. In his three seasons, he has averaged 7.9 points in 18.6 minutes.
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. -- A handgun charge against Los Angeles Clippers forward Chris Wilcox was dismissed Tuesday. The former Maryland star was arrested in June after police found a gun in his car during a traffic stop.
The discovery probably would not have been admissible in court because Wilcox should have been allowed to leave the scene before the arrival of a canine unit that found the weapon, Howard County State's Attorney Tim McCrone said.
"The police officers acted in good faith, but if you miss it by a minute you miss it," McCrone said.
Wilcox could not provide documentation at the time that the gun belonged to him or that he had a permit to carry the weapon, police said.
The player's lawyer, Rebecca Nitkin, said Tuesday the gun was registered in North Carolina and Wilcox had begun carrying it because he was robbed at gunpoint a few years ago.
She said a number of professional athletes are growing concerned that their wealth makes them a potential target of violent crime, noting that Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jerome McDougle was shot last week in Miami by three teenagers during an apparent holdup.
She added that Wilcox's demeanor toward authorities on the night of his arrest contributed to prosecutors' decision to drop the charges.
"He was considered by all 12 police officers to be incredibly respectful and polite," Nitkin said.
Wilcox helped Maryland reach the Final Four in his two seasons, including the NCAA championship during his sophomore year. The Clippers selected him with the eighth pick in the 2002 draft. In his three seasons, he has averaged 7.9 points in 18.6 minutes.
