Update: Murphy, Larson arrested in St. Augustine

By Adam Silverstein
April 10, 2011

This post was updated on 4/11 at 11 a.m.

Three members of the Florida Gators basketball team were arrested for burglary Sunday morning in St. Augustine, FL and released on $5,000 bond.

Forwards sophomore Erik Murphy and freshman Cody Larson face third-degree felony burglary charges after allegedly breaking into a car near Scarlett O’Hara’s Bar and Restaurant at approximately 2 a.m. Team manager Joshua Adel was also arrested for principal to burglary because police say he served as a lookout.

No items were reported missing from the vehicle.

According to the police report, Murphy and Larson were looking for a lost wallet when they were kicked out of the establishment by bouncers. Minutes later, the bouncers noticed the duo were breaking into a co-worker’s car across the street, chased them away and notified the police.

The police apprehended Adel, who called Murphy and convinced him to turn himself in. While both men were in the back of the police cruiser, Larson called multiple times and, according to the Orlando Sentinel, discussed on speaker phone how they were going to get out of trouble. A device in the vehicle recorded the conversation, which ended with the duo convincing Larson to come back to the scene and turn himself in.

The three men cooperated once in custody.

“It seems like they just did something stupid and got caught,” Sgt. Jason Etheredge of the St. Augustine Police Department told the Sentinel.

Larson, who will be listed as a redshirt freshman after sitting out his first season with the Gators, committed to Florida and head coach Billy Donovan one year ago while dealing with legal issues in his home state of South Dakota. He received a suspended 120-day jail sentence and is currently on two years of probation for a drug charge he incurred during his senior year of high school.

“I’m aware of Cody and Erik’s situation and very disappointed with the news,’’ Donovan said on Monday. “The two are currently suspended from basketball-related activities. I’m not going to comment further until I have more information and get a chance to meet with both student-athletes.”

The story was first reported by Channel 4 News in Jacksonville.

OGGOA will continue updating this story as more information is made available.

30 Comments

  1. SaraGator says:

    A team manager was arrested with the players???? God God, I hope this is a misunderstanding.

  2. Brett says:

    Hold opinions until all the facts are presented. Not good news.

  3. From the story it seems like they broke into the car because they thought the wallet was in there. …We’ll see what comes of this smh

  4. Andrew says:

    This doesn’t sound like Murphy at all. I would be suprised if more doesn’t come out on this.

  5. DCgator says:

    Whoa. This could get messy.

  6. Dave says:

    Orlando Sentinel gives a very complete picture of the incident. Misunderstanding? Given Adel’s recorded cell conversations while in the cruiser, what’s to misunderstand?

    But, they’re Gators and you’re surprised they’re in trouble with the law? C’mon! UF, I’m ashamed to say, has become the headquarters for Future Felons of America. Doesn’t seem to bother that fine, upstanding UF Administration, either.

    Their buddy, Larson, btw, already has a drug record in SD. You think we might get a judge this time who’s ready to kick some complacent UF athlete butt?

    • Alex says:

      Murphy was already headed out the door, I doubt he will be suiting up in the Orange and Blue next season.

      The other kid, Larson, is an even bigger idiot since he had a prior felony charge for drug possession. Billy’s first mistake was giving this kid, who in reality was a huge reach, a scholarship. He will be facing real jail time now and will be wearing Tennessee jump suit orange for the next few months.

      This is not a problem exclusive to the University of Florida (please see the Fulmer Cup from Everydayshouldbesaturday.com) it is just that since it is occurring at your school the problem is highlighted.

      • Tractorr says:

        Why do you say Murphy was already heading out the door?

        Larson gave one of his high school teammates some of his prescription pain killers. Stupid? Yes. Not worthy of a second chance? No.

        I have to think something else was going on here. Seriously, a couple of near 7 footers trying to break into a car. Nothing suspicious there.

    • There’s no misunderstanding when you’re trying to forcefully enter property that is not your own.

  7. Malikg says:

    Poor decisions from two players who should have only been mentioned for positive news in the upcoming year. Erik Murphy as a junior working himself into a starting role and Cody Larson as a pleasant surprise after redshirting are stories that would have written themselves.

    At the moment, unfortunately, a feel-good tale about either of them seems very, very far away.

  8. Jesse C says:

    There goes the second coming of Matt Bonner. What a dumbass.

  9. g8ter27 says:

    Well the state attroney there is that county is RJ Larizza, a good friend of mine but sad to say a Nole. He is very tough on crime there however and is certainly no push over. The judge who likely will deal with this is Wendy Berger and she is a very tough judge who is no nonsense. These guys will get the biggest slap on the wrist that they have ever had most likely. I think these guys made a mistake, but like Adam said this was no misunderstanding. Sad for these two but they may very well be haeding out the door here in the next few days.

  10. Joe says:

    Just plain foolish. They should be booted off the team.

    Next article: Big men who want to transfer to Florida?

  11. Ken (CA) says:

    If the initial information is all correct, it sounds like all 3 of these guys will be gone shortly. If Larson violated his probation he will likely have to go back and sever his 180 day suspended sentence, and then face whatever punishment he gets for this. If Murphy was thinking of transferring before, I am sure it is even stronger now.

    As for the team manager, he ought to be fired.

  12. Malikg says:

    So… am I right in gathering that few if any of you think the possibility of the legal system running its course, these two receiving both legal, University and Donovan punishment, and then playing again for UF is all that likely?

    • Ken (CA) says:

      Assuming the facts are as stated, I can’t imagine they would be very welcome at this point. I could be wrong but it sure doesn’t sound like they have much of a future at UF. I don’t feel so bad about Murphy’s brother not choosing UF now, if he has the same level of maturity as his brother…

  13. GatorsFanLA says:

    Knuckle heads!

  14. jay d says:

    Any athlete who is wiling to risk his free ride at a major university deserves to be banned from all sports for at least one year and lose that year of eligability….it really angers me to read about uf athletes taking their situation for granted….unacceptable….gator or not…star player or not..unacceptable…

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