MSU Star Turned Accused Murderer Appling Arraigned Thursday

DETROIT — Keith Appling, a former star player on the Michigan State University Spartans men's basketball team, was arraigned Thursday on a murder charge in Wayne County District Court.

Appling, 29, faces one count of first-degree murder, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of felony firearm. He was remanded to the Wayne County Jail following his arraignment Thursday in 36th District Court.

The ex-basketball star is scheduled to appear in court again on June 22. A preliminary examination in the case is scheduled for June 29.

Natalie Bannister, Appling's girlfriend, also was arraigned Thursday on charges of accessory after the fact and lying to a peace officer. She is scheduled to appear at the same upcoming court hearings as Appling, but was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. She was placed on a GPS tether and ordered to have no contact with Appling.

Appling is accused of killing 66-year-old Clyde Edmonds, a relative.

Detroit police identified Appling as a suspect in the shooting, which unfolded in the 13200 block of Whitcomb Street on May 22. Police at the time said Appling and Edmonds had a "verbal altercation" over a handgun that turned physical before Edmonds was shot multiple times.

Appling fled the area near Schoolcraft and Greenfield Road a newer model tan Buick Regal, police said later. He was arrested around 10:30 a.m. on May 24 without incident in the 1500 block of Commerce Park Drive in Chelsea. A firearm was recovered during the arrest, police said in a news release.

Prosecutors accused Bannister of driving Appling from the scene and lying to police investigating the case.

Read more coverage from Patch:

• Keith Appling Scheduled To Appear Before Judge Thursday Morning
• Former MSU Basketball Star Keith Appling Charged With Murder
• Ex-MSU Basketball Star Keith Appling Arrested In Shooting Case
• Ex-Michigan State Basketball Star A Suspect In Fatal Shooting