Auburn Robbery Trials: Michael Dyer Testifies, Antonio Goodwin Found Guilty

Now that we know why Auburn Tigers running back Michael Dyer was suspended for last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl -- for allowing his gun to be used in that massive, four-man heist by former teammates -- we should also note Arkansas St. Red Wolves coach Gus Malzahn is accepting him in anyway:

I am fully aware of Mike's circumstances. He knows very well the high standard we have of all our players here at Arkansas State, and I'm confident that he will meet those expectations.

Malzahn was Dyer's offensive coordinator at Auburn. Despite Dyer's admission in court this week that he smoked synthetic weed all the time and was with Antonio Goodwin and three others on the night of their break-in, Malzahn apparently doesn't feel the risk is too great.

Dyer finished third in the SEC in yards from scrimmage last year.

Elsewhere, Goodwin was convicted of first-degree robbery. Trials for the three other players begin this summer.

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For more on War Eagle football, visit Auburn blog Track Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

While we're here, let's watch some college football videos from SB Nation's new YouTube channel together:

The trial is underway for the first of those four Auburn Tigers players arrested last year on a host of robbery-related charges. You remember, the fellows that dominated the Fulmer Cup. This one centers around Antonio Goodwin, a wide receiver, who's pleading not guilty. The three other defendants are scheduled to go on trial in June.

(Evan Woodbery looks to be the best source of quotes from the trial.)

Among those offering testimony Wednesday was former running back Michael Dyer, now of the Arkansas St. Red Wolves. Hey, look! A college football story involving Arkansas! Imagine it!

Dyer testified that his gun was used in the incident, but that he tried to talk Goodwin out of taking it. Dyer and the others talked of "constantly" smoking spice, a synthetic cannabis-like drug. DeAngelo Benton said the drug made him sick. Neiko Thorpe testified that he knew Goodwin, Benton, and Shaun Kitchens were drunk on the night of the alleged robbery.

Benton testified that Dyer was with the four players early in the night, partaking in drink and smoke.

Elsewhere, Auburn coach Gene Chizik responded to Dyer's claim that he owned a gun while playing for Auburn and various other legal discoveries:

AU's Gene Chizik no comment on Antonio Goodwin trial, Mike Dyer's gun, DeAngelo Benton's drug testimony 'out of respect to judicial process'

— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) April 11, 2012

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For more on War Eagle football, visit Auburn blog Track Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

As we all know, people are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in the United States. Mike McNeil and the other former Auburn football players who are accused of a March 11 armed robbery have not yet stood trial for their accused crimes, but McNeil and his attorneys might find it a little more difficult to prove that he's innocent (or at least deserving of a lesser charge) if they have a serious motive to consider. According to a report at AL.com, McNeil had been evicted twice - the second time just days before the alleged robbery - and was facing a lawsuit for thousands of dollars just before the alleged robbery occurred.

Committing felonies, especially those involving firearms is usually a really bad idea, but at least this development gives the public a little bit of perspective. Last week, most people were probably wondering "Why would those guys do something so stupid?" Well...now you know, I guess.

All four players involved in the alleged robbery have been indicted and are scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

For more Auburn athletics news, visit SB Nation's Track Em Tigers.

As long as we're on the Auburn-related crimes beat today, let's check in with the four ousted Tiger football players accused of robbery in a local trailer park back in March. Antonio Goodwin, Shaun Kitchens, and Michael McNeil were indicted on seven charges each for their parts in the most ludicrously distracting offseason in auburn football history: Five counts of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree burglary, and one count of third-degree theft. Would-be getaway driver Dakota Mosley gets every charge listed above, plus the nefarious-sounding "conspiracy to hinder business."

NBC 13 has more details, including some chuckle-worthy previously unconfirmed particulars of the night in question:

According to Auburn police, one handgun, an air gun and the stolen property, including victims' cellphones and the safe, were recovered during the arrest.

All four ex-Tigers are scheduled to be arraigned May 26, the same day as Harvey Updyke, if anyone's interested in just camping out in front of the Lee County courthouse with a bucket of popcorn.

For more Auburn athletics news, visit SB Nation's Track Em Tigers.

In the wake of the arrests of four Auburn football players for an armed home invasion robbery, we're turning to the two fanbases who'll have the most to say about it for comment. Our Auburn community, Track 'Em Tigers, is in lockstep with across-the-board disappointment and disgust:

This doesn't look good for these players. I'm sure their dismissal from the team will be complete by the end of the day. What could they have been thinking so close to the start of spring practice?

(For our part, we would argue that there's never a good time to commit felonies with one's teammates, but yes, before the start of spring practice is an inopportune moment.)

Over at the Alabama community, Roll Bama Roll, is more relieved to be out of the spotlight than inclined to crow, and they've got history to thank for that:

One way or the other, to those who feel the inclination to do so, I'd suggest no one gloat over this one. Remember back in 2008 when we were all pointing at laughing at the string of arrests in Knoxville? Um, yeah, I'm pretty sure one of those days we were laughing was the same day Jimmy Johns was selling blow in the parking lot a mere 150 feet from the Alabama coaches' offices. In other words, just enjoy the offseason popcorn and be glad it's not us.

Popcorn we've got, and popcorn we shall have: This case isn't going away, ever. Break out the buttery topping of your choice and stay tuned to this StoryStream for further developments.