DETROIT – Former Michigan State basketball star Keith Appling pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 66-year-old man in Detroit.
Appling was arraigned at 11 a.m. Thursday (June 10) via Zoom, facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder, felony possession and two felony firearm violations. His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Appling was ordered not to have any contact with his co-defendant, his girlfriend, Natalie Banister, 28.
He was remanded without bond.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 22 over Zoom. An in-person preliminary examination is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 29.
You can watch the full arraignment in the video below.
Fatal Detroit shooting
Appling was named a suspect in a May 22 shooting on Detroit’s west side. Authorities said the incident happened around 7:10 p.m. in the 13200 block of Whitcomb Road, near Greenfield and Schoolcraft roads.
Officials said Appling got into an argument with Clyde Edmonds, 66, and the dispute escalated into a shooting. Appling is accused of firing multiple shots, killing Edmonds, according to police.
Sources told Local 4 Appling and Edmonds are related by marriage. The argument might have centered around a stolen gun, officials said.
Michigan State Police troopers arrested Appling around 10:30 a.m. May 24 in the 1500 block of Commerce Park Drive in Chelsea. They said a firearm was recovered, but Appling was taken into custody without incident.
Charges
Appling was charged June 4 with first-degree premeditated murder, felony possession and two felony firearm violations.
Banister has been charged as a second defendant in the case. She is charged with accessory after the fact and lying to a peace officer. Prosecutors accuse Banister of driving Appling away from the scene and lying to investigators.
Past incidents
In 2018, Appling was sentenced to 18 months of probation after officers found about 20 grams of heroin in a vehicle he was driving.
He was sentenced to a year behind bars in 2017 after pleading guilty to one count of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of attempting to resist and obstruct a police officer.