While they were extremely scant at first, more and more details are beginning to emerge as it relates to the Monday arrest of West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood.
The Wilmington News Journal is reporting that Smallwood is facing extradition back to his home state of Delaware. After being extradited back to Delaware -- that could happen as early as today -- Smallwood will be charged with witness intimidation.
From the News Journal:Smallwood tried to get a witness to recant statements implicating a friend of his charged with first-degree murder, Ivey said.
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On multiple occasions in March and May 2013, Ivey said, Smallwood “called to try to get a witness to come and make a false statement to police recanting previous statements” that implicated Lloyd.
Smallwood was arrested by WVU police as an out-of-state fugitive. The Charleston Daily Mail‘s Mike Casazza tweeted that “Wilmington police and a rep from [the state’s attorney general office] arrived in Morgantown Monday, interviewed Smallwood and executed [an] arrest warrant.”
As far as the school’s response to the developments, Smallwood is expected to be, at bare minimum, suspended indefinitely.
Smallwood’s 221 yards were good for second on the team last year. That total is second to only Dreamius Smith‘s 494 yards among returning Mountaineers. He was expected to play an even bigger role in WVU’s offense this season.
UPDATED 6:02 p.m. ET: The Delaware state’s attorney’s office intends to charge Smallwood with a felony that, if he’s found guilty, could mean up to two years in prison. The felony also means an immediate and indefinite suspension from the university.