Alabama has suspended Tony Mitchell, the freshman’s defense attorney, following his arrest last week in Florida that led to drug and gun charges. Mitchell, who faces a charge of possessing marijuana with intent to sell and/or supply, was driving a car with another man, Christopher Lewis, as a passenger when police detected the “smell of burning marijuana” at a traffic stop told the bureau of the Sheriff of Holmes County (Fla.).
Mitchell and Lewis were taken into custody when a search of the vehicle turned up a significant amount of marijuana, a scale, a loaded handgun and a large amount of cash. Lewis was also charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.
“Everyone has the opportunity to make decisions,” said coach Nick Saban said during a news conference on Monday, per AL.com. “There is no wrong place at the wrong time. It is what it is, but there is cause and effect when you make decisions and when you make decisions that put you in bad situations.”
Saban’s words are interesting given what Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats said in February about star freshman Brandon Miller and his connection to a deadly shooting in Tuscaloosa in January. Oats, in particular, found himself in hot water after telling reporters that Miller was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” According to police statements, Miller brought a gun to a teammate, Darius Miles, that was later used to kill 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris. However, Miller was not charged in this matter.
Oats later apologized for his statement. Athletic director Greg Byrne noted in interviews that the university was not fully briefed on Miller’s role before Oats spoke to the media.
“We were informed by law enforcement that other student athletes were in the vicinity, and law enforcement have repeatedly told us that no other student athletes were suspects – they were only witnesses,” Oats wrote in a statement. “Our understanding is that they have all been absolutely honest and cooperative. It was in no way my intention to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris’ family.”