Former Michigan State star Keith Appling pleads guilty to murder charge, agrees to 18-40 year sentence

Former Michigan State star Keith Appling has plead guilty to a second-degree murder charge on Monday, per Miriam Marini of the Detroit Free Press. According to the report, the fatal shooting resulted in the death of one of Appling’s relatives.

“Former Michigan State basketball player Keith Appling pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Monday, in connection with a fatal shooting that resulted in the death of his relative,” wrote Marini. “Appling also pleaded guilty to a felony firearm charge in connection to the shooting and death of Clyde Edmonds, 66, in 2021.

“As part of his plea deal, Appling agreed to a prison sentence of 18 to 40 years for the murder charge and another two consecutive years for the firearm charge. The other two counts of felony firearm that were brought against him are set to be dismissed during his sentence hearing on March 3.”

Per Marini, the 31-year old former Spartans guard was originally charged in June of 2021 for the shooting of Edmonds, who is Appling’s mother’s first cousin. Additionally, Natalie Bannister — Appling’s girlfriend — faced repercussions, as she plead guilty to a lying charged and received 18 months of probation.

Continuing, Marini provided details of what transpired in 2021, leading to Monday’s news.

“On May 22, 2021, Detroit police were dispatched to a home on Whitcomb Street at approximately 7:10 p.m. in response to a reported shooting, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office,” added Marini. “Officers found Edmonds on the front lawn of the home with multiple gunshot wounds, medics transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“Authorities believe Appling and Edmonds had an argument that escalated to violence and Appling fired multiple times before fleeing the scene, it is also alleged that Bannister, 30, of Jackson, drove him away from the home and lied to officers investigating the shooting.”

According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy per Marini, Appling had been dealing with some personal issues for awhile.

“Many of those that tried to intervene with this defendant were hoping that he would get on the right track and stay there,” she said in a statement back in 2021, per Marini. “It is always tragic when one with so much promise, talent, and possibility is alleged to have committed the most serious of crimes.”

Keith Appling once had immense potential as one of the leaders at Michigan State, and even had a stint in the NBA. It’s tough to see such a fall from grace from someone who was once one of Tom Izzo’s most trusted players.