Ex-MSU basketball player Keith Appling sentenced 18-40 years on murder charge
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Keith Appling was sentenced to 18–40 years in prison following his guilty plea for a fatal shooting in 2021.
Last month, former Michigan State University basketball star pleaded guilty to a fatal shooting. On Friday, he was given the sentence after requesting that the judge withdraw the plea.
The judge denied the request, saying there had been a "disturbing aura" around the case and attempts to "delay the inevitable."
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A victim impact statement was also entered into the record from the step son of the deceased.
Appling was charged in connection with a fatal shooting in 2021 and in February, he pleaded guilty to counts of second-degree murder and felony firearm.
Appling, along with his girlfriend Natalie Bannister, 30, of Jackson Michigan, were both charged in the shooting the defendant's 66-year-old cousin. Officers found the victim in a residence on Detroit's west side in May 2021.
![Keith Appling at his digital arraignment Thursday.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox2detroit.com/www.fox2detroit.com/content/uploads/2021/06/932/524/Keith-Appling.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Keith Appling at his digital arraignment Thursday.
Police were dispatched to the 13240 block of Whitcomb Street in the early evening after reports of a shooting. They found the victim, identified as Clyde Edmonds, with multiple gunshot wounds on the front lawn of the home.
Edmonds was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Detroit Police said the two men got into an argument about a gun, and it ended with Appling shooting Edmonds.
Bannister allegedly drove Appling away from the crime, later lying about the case to police. She's since pled guilty to lying to a peace officer and was sentenced to 18 months of probation.
Appling was later arrested and charged in June 2021. He was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of felony firearm.