Auburn Football Player Killed in Overnight Shooting

((ht: al.com))

Less than a day after celebrating good news with the arrival of a new Defensive Coordinator, the Auburn Tigers are mourning a horrible loss.

Freshman Tight End Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed at an apartment complex close to the Auburn Campus very early Sunday morning.

According to reports, the police were called to the scene at The Tiger Lodge apartments just before 12:30 a.m and found Mitchell who had been shot multiple times.

Rescue workers got him to a nearby hospital quickly, but he passed away in the emergency room.

Mitchell was a highly rated prospect who redshirted for the 2014 football season. He came to Auburn from nearby Opelika High School.

Police are investigating the shooting as a homicide and are still looking for a suspect in the incident.

Auburn's Athletic Director Jay Jacobs offered condolences: "The Auburn Family is grieving the loss of a teammate and friend Jakell Mitchell. We are praying for his family."

The Tiger Lodge Apartments were renamed after the shooting a few years back when another disagreement at the then-University Heights complex resulted in the death of three men- including former Auburn players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips. Desmonte Leonard was convicted of capital murder, attempted murder and assault in two months ago and will be sentenced January 7.

Mitchell was expected to compete for playing time at H-Back with the graduations of CJ Uzomah and Brandon Fulse.

Al.com caught up with Mitchell during his recruitment and asked what his expectations were as he was set for The Plains.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Auburn detective section at 334-501-3140. Anonymous tips can be made to the Auburn Police Department tip line at 334-246-1391.

Capital Murder Verdict Returned In Auburn Football Player Murders

((HT: WTVM-TV/OANow.com, Taylor))

Desmonte Leonard was found guilty in the capital murders three people- two of them former Auburn University football players. DeMario Pitts, along with Lowndes High grad Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips were shot and killed at an Auburn, Alabama apartment complex in an incident in June 2012. Three others were injured in the shootings.

Lee County (AL) jurors found Leonard guilty on all but one of the six charges stemming from the shooting:

2nd degree assault for the shooting of Eric Mack
2nd degree assault for the shooting of Xavier Moss
1st degree assault for the shooting of John Robertson
The attempted murder of DeAngelo Benton
Capital murder for "killing two or more people in the same act"- Christian and Phillips

Leonard was found not guilty for attempted murder.

For the Taylor recap of the case that brought Leonard to trial:

During the trial, witness testimony indicated that prior to the shooting, Leonard had gotten involved in an altercation with former Auburn football player DeAngelo Benton, who instigated the quarrel.

Leonard’s attorneys contended Leonard feared for his life and fired the gun in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued Leonard was never in real danger and exhibited goal-oriented behavior during the shooting.

Without giving much detail, Leonard said she and Leonard’s other attorneys had a plan for how to present evidence to the jury to not give him the death penalty.

Here's Sharonda Woods, a sister of one of those who were murdered, discussing the verdict after everyone exited the courthouse
WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather

Wednesday, a jury begins the process of deciding the death penalty or life in prison without parole for Leonard.

Auburn Speaks On Lutzenkirchen Tragedy

((HT: Auburn Tigers.com/Goldberg))

The Auburn family has spoken out publicly for the first time since it was released that former tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen was killed in a rollover crash early Sunday morning...

"I’m deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Philip Lutzenkirchen. He was a great young man who touched the lives of everyone he knew in a positive way," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "On the field, Philip was a great player and competitor, but more importantly, he was a great teammate and friend off the field. My thoughts and prayers are with Philip’s parents, Mike and Mary, and all of his family and friends who are grieving his passing. This is a sad day for the entire Auburn family. I find peace knowing that even though Philip was taken from us too soon, that he lived his life to the fullest, leaving a lifetime of great memories for his family and friends to cherish forever."

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs:

"Philip’s death is a devastating tragedy for his family, the Auburn family and his countless friends. Today is also a profoundly sad day for the Auburn Athletics family, who loved and respected Philip not only as a great player but more importantly as a friend and the epitome of an Auburn man.

"I came to know Philip well and I admired everything about who he was and the way he lived his life. He had a strong faith, a big heart and a burning desire to help others. Philip was a bright light this world desperately needed, and his death leaves a void that can’t possibly be filled. My prayers, my thoughts and my heart go out to his wonderful parents, Mike and Mary, their entire family and his many grieving friends.”

Former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik:

"He was compassionate, determined, honorable and full of love, integrity and respect. In 27 years of coaching, I have come across what I would consider to be a few ‘rare’ young men. Phillip was certainly one of those ‘rare’ ones," Chizik said. "He truly, lived his life for other people and always found time to give to others. His family values taught him to be a great friend and teammate of everyone he came in contact with. My deepest sympathy is extended to his parents Mike and Mary, his sisters, and all of his extended family. We should all begin by honoring his life because he lived a life worthy of that. In his 23 short years, he has certainly left an impactful legacy to everyone he touched. I will miss him deeply."

Auburn Celebrates PGA Title The Only Way They Know...

((HT: Brandon Marcello))

Okay, so Jason Dufner wins the PGA Championship in Rochester, New York- which lends itself to the proper celebrations in and around campus...


And Bo Jackson's daughter, Morgan, Vining her dad when Dufner sank the putt on 18...


And the appropriate Twitter celebrations

@CoachGusMalzahn watching @JasonDufner trophy presentation at PGA Champ #WarEagle

Interpret as You Will: Alabama Recruit Waving Wads of Cash

Dee Liner on Left

((ht: sportingnews.com))

We'd now like to open the floor to questions from the audience. Please feel free to discuss after reading the story and seeing the photo.

Take a look at the Instagram photo on your right. In it, you'll see Alabama freshman recruit Dee Liner flashing rather large piles of cash along with his friends. The attached hashtag--#StruggleOverWit. It was uncovered by a website called "College Spun.com".

It's not clear where or how young Mr. Liner came upon this sudden windfall, but the youngster from Muscle Shoals has been rather popular, or at least well known in the state of Alabama.

He originally committed to Auburn back in January, but then de-committed after the departure of former coach Gene Chizik.

Just a few weeks later, he ended up signing with Alabama or the team known as Auburn's chief rival.

We are NOT saying the Liner has done anything wrong. Other than posting a really dumb picture on Instagram that's already attracting some unwanted attention. What we are saying is: Let's hope this is something perfectly innocent and Liner unknowingly posted a photo that is giving people a chance to make the wrong assumption.

But considering the cynical nature of College Football recruiting, particularly in the SEC, it's not hard to assume the first impression is right.

Auburn Tree Poisoner Updyke To Be Released Monday

Updyke's Booking Photo

((ht: al.com))

So, he's apparently done his jail time, but the crime is one that can't be taken back.

Harvey Updyke, the man convicted of poisoning the gigantic oak trees at Toomers Corner, an Auburn tradition, will be released from jail on Monday. He had initially pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful damage of an animal or crop facility as part of a plea agreement with county prosecutors.

Updyke has spent the remainder of his 6-month jail sentence in prison at the Lee County jail. The jail sentence was part of a 3-year split sentence. He'll also be on supervised probation for the next 5-years. His supervision will probably be transferred to Louisiana where he is living with family.

Read the full story from AL.com RIGHT HERE

You'll recall Updyke apparently poisoned the trees sometime after the 2010 Iron Bowl and then called Paul Finebaum's radio show and admitted to it.


It took some time for the case to come to trial, but he was finally sentenced on March 2013 of this year after cutting a plea deal with prosecutors.

Words cannot describe the outrage of Auburn alumni and in this case, the entire state of Alabama. As part of his probation, Updyke will not be allowed even remotely near the Auburn campus, he can't attend any sporting event, can't talk with the media, and has a 7PM curfew.

The HQ thinks two or three of the parameters will broken within a year of his release. And Lee County (AL) prosecutors are still trying to figure out the whole million-dollar restitution thing...