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Witness intimidation charges against West Virginia RB Wendell Smallwood dropped

Witness intimidation charges against West Virginia RB Wendell Smallwood dropped

West Virginia RB Wendall Smallwood is no longer facing witness intimidation charges. The charges were dropped Tuesday after the suspect in the murder case Smallwood was charged in pled guilty.

Zakee Lloyd pled guilty to killing Manuel Oliveras in 2012 and according to the Delaware Department of Justice, the cooperation of Smallwood was integral to the case. Smallwood had been charged after he was accused of threatening a witness to the crime.

From a statement from the DDJ (via the WVMetroNews):

“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.”

Smallwood was arrested earlier in July on West Virginia's campus and extradited to Delaware. He's still listed as a member of West Virginia's 2014 roster. After his arrest, the school issued a statement saying that it would monitor his situation.

As a freshman last season, he ran 39 times for 221 yards.

For more West Virginia news, visit WVSports.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!