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West Virginia RB Wendell Smallwood cleared of witness intimidation charges

By Jack Crosby

Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Wendell Smallwood (4) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma Sooners defensive send Charles Tapper (91) at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Oklahoma Sooners beat the West Virginia Mountaineers 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Wendell Smallwood (4) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma Sooners defensive send Charles Tapper (91) at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Oklahoma Sooners beat the West Virginia Mountaineers 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was far from good news earlier this month when projected West Virginia starting running back Wendell Smallwood was arrested on charges of witness intimidation in a murder case. But now that the justice system has played itself out, the good news has risen as Smallwood has been cleared of all charges.

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Back on July 14, Smallwood was taken into custody and moved back to the state of Delaware, where he was facing charges that he, on more than one occasion, intimidated a witness in a murder case that involved a friend of his that was facing a first-degree murder charge.

Well on Tuesday, the Wilmington, Delaware Police Department issued a statement stating that Smallwood has been cleared.

"Since his arrest, Wendell Smallwood has been fully cooperative with the Department of Justice and Wilmington Police Department including giving a full statement regarding his involvement in witness intimidation. He was fully prepared to testify truthfully in the upcoming trial, and his cooperation was instrumental to the State in securing today’s conviction of Zakee Lloyd.There is no evidence of Smallwood’s involvement in the murder of Manuel Oliveras.  Moreover, despite the recorded phone call between Smallwood and Lloyd, there is no evidence that it resulted in a threat being conveyed to that witness.  In consideration of all of the facts and circumstances, including Smallwood’s full cooperation with authorities and the conviction of Zakee Lloyd, the State today entered a nolle prosequi on the witness intimidation charge against Wendell Smallwood."

This is refreshing, especially given the fact that not a lot of these off-the-field trouble stories in college football have a happy ending any more.

Now Smallwood can return to his life in Morgantown and continue to get ready for the college football season.

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