UT's Cedric Benson expected to be charged with criminal trespassing

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/102003/1020benson.html

UT's Cedric Benson expected to be charged with criminal trespassing
Running back allegedly forced open apartment door in search of stolen TV

By Jonathan Osborne

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, October 20, 2003

Austin Police on Tuesday will charge starting University of Texas running back Cedric Benson with kicking in a Southeast Austin apartment door in an attempt to recover a stolen plasma television.

The misdemeanor charge — officially referred to as criminal trespassing — is punishable by up to two years in jail.

Benson was not immediately available for comment today.

Lt. Curtis Kornfuehrer said that on the evening of Oct. 7, a woman inside the apartment on Little Texas Lane near Stassney Road heard knocking at the front door, and looked through the peephole and saw what appeared to be four men. She did not answer the door.

"She didn't know who they were and she did not let them know she was inside the apartment," Kornfuehrer said. "She heard them talking outside, saying something to the effect of, 'We're going to have to double team this door.' "

Then, Kornfuehrer said, the group forced it open.

"One of them got in her face, who she subsequently identified as Cedric Benson," Kornfuehrer said. "He was inquiring about a stolen television. It was a large, plasma screen television. They didn't see it and they left.

"Since there was nothing stolen, we could not make a burglary."

A 2002 police report filed by Benson says that the television, along with a Sony Playstation, some speakers and clothes, were stolen from his home.

Kornfuehrer said the victim, who gave police a written statement on Friday, had been able to write down a license plate number, leading police to Benson, whom she also picked out of a photo lineup. She could not identify the other men.

"We really don't know who the other three are at this point," Kornfuehrer said. "I don't think we're going to be able to go any further with it unless Cedric wants to give it up."

Benson had a previous brush with the law when he was arrested in spring 2002 and charged with possession of mar1juana. That misdemeanor was quickly dropped.

On Saturday against Iowa State, Benson rushed for 140 yards and scored three touchdowns.