Former Michigan State basketball star pleads guilty to killing family member

DETROIT (TCD) -- A former college basketball star pleaded guilty to killing a family member the same day his murder trial was scheduled to begin in a Wayne County court.

Court records show Keith Appling entered the plea for second-degree murder and a weapons charge Monday, Feb. 13, for the 2021 death of 66-year-old Clyde Edmonds. Two other weapons charges were dismissed.

The Detroit News reports Appling, 31, faces 18 to 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge and two years for the firearm offense.

According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, on May 22, 2021, Detroit Police Department officers received a call about a shooting on Whitcomb Street, and found Edmonds on the front lawn of the home suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Medics transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Edmonds' wife is reportedly Appling's mother's first cousin. The Prosecutor's Office said the two men got into an argument, and Appling shot Edmonds.

Appling's girlfriend was arrested at the time, too, because she reportedly drove him from the crime scene and "failed to tell the truth to officers investigating the case."

The Detroit News reports Appling served as captain of the Michigan State University basketball team. He had a brief stint in the NBA's G-League and even played a few games for the Orlando Magic as well as overseas. He was an All-American high school player and scored 49 points in his high school's state championship game.

Appling reportedly got in trouble with the law upon his return to Michigan and was sentenced to 18 months of probation in 2020 for a drug charge.

Appling will be sentenced March 3.

MORE:

• State of Michigan v. Keith Appling
• Ex-MSU basketball star Appling pleads guilty to murder of family member - The Detroit News
• 'It's a shame what's happened': Tom Izzo saddened as Keith Appling faces murder charge, 1/9/2021 - The Detroit News
• Keith Appling Charge in Whitcomb Street Fatal Shooting, 6/8/2021 - Wayne County Prosecutor's Office