Willie Williams denies violating Probation

Associated Press

MIAMI -- A judge set bond at $2,500 for top Miami recruit Willie Williams, who drew an overflow crowd of supporters Friday for his first court hearing since surrendering on an arrest warrant for allegedly violating probation.

The 19-year-old Williams was expected to be released Friday night after three days in jail.

"We are extremely happy the judge had enough confidence in him to give him back bond," defense attorney Paul Lazarus said.

Prosecutor Thomas Crowder asked that Williams be held without bond until trial. Circuit Judge Michael Kaplan rejected the request but said he wanted court employees assigned with monitoring the defendant to "keep their thumb on Mr. Williams."

"These are very serious matters," the judge said. "These are matters the court does not take lightly."

Williams denied violating probation. The latest charges against him stem from a five-hour spree on a recruiting trip to Gainesville on Super Bowl weekend.

Williams is accused of setting off three fire extinguishers in his hotel, grabbing a woman against her will and hitting a man at a bar. He was charged with felony malicious damage to fire extinguishers, misdemeanor criminal mischief and misdemeanor battery at a hotel.

If convicted, Williams could face five years in prison _ the maximum sentence on the felony burglary case in which he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 18 months probation in July 2002. His probation expired Wednesday, hours after the Gainesville charges were filed.

Lazarus said the hotel has been reimbursed for damage, which, according to court documents, was less than $1,000.

University of Miami officials have said they didn't know about the alleged crimes in Gainesville -- or Williams' 10 previous arrests -- until after the highly touted linebacker accepted a scholarship last week to play for the Hurricanes. He was on probation because of a 2002 burglary case.

The school this week suspended the processing of Williams' admissions application.

Among those attending Friday's hearing were Williams' former teammates at Miami Carol City High School, as well as his principal, coach and relatives. Two teachers testified on Williams' behalf.