Kelly Whitney, a men's basketball player at Seton Hall during the 2000s, began his trial in Newark yesterday on charges of kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and weapons possession.
The charges stem from an incident last March when Whitney allegedly entered an Irvington Avenue home with another former Pirate, Robert Mitchell. The Star-Ledger reports that the two men allegedly smoked marijuana with some residents of the house, occupied by eight students, just two hours before committing the robbery.
Details of the trial's opening are reported at NJ.com, including that the defense of Whitney is related to the descriptions that the victims provided of Whitney. Defense Attorney Remi Spencer said the difficulty for the victims in identifying Whitney, coupled with inconsistencies in statements from the victims, weakens the charges.
Mitchell pled guilty to the charges in October. The Star-Ledger reports he was released on bail.
Brian Wisowaty can be reached at brian.wisowaty@student.shu.edu.
