| Subject: Danton update - Blues in court for support |
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Buffy
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Date Posted: 08:39:27 05/05/04 Wed
Danton pleads innocent
Associated Press
Posted Wednesday, May 05, 2004
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - St. Louis Blues forward Mike Danton pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges that he conspired to kill an acquaintance in a murder-for-hire plot.
Danton, wearing an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, spoke in calm and measured tones in brief responses to questions from U.S. Magistrate Gerald Cohn at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis, Ill. He is charged with conspiring and using a telephone across state lines to attempt a murder.
Danton's mother and brother attended the hearing, along with two of Danton's Blues teammates, Scott Mellanby and Doug Weight, and team marketing director Jim Woodcock.
"We're here just to observe and support Mike, to show him we stand by him," Woodcock said.
Cohn set a detention hearing for Friday afternoon, and Danton will remain in the Clinton County, Ill., jail until then. Federal prosecutor Randy Massey said the government will recommend that Danton remain jailed. Trial is set for July 20.
Danton's attorney, Bob Haar, said he was hopeful Danton would be released on bond and noted that Danton has a shoulder injury that needs treatment.
"I don't think Mike is a flight risk," Haar said.
Danton's alleged accomplice, 19-year-old Katie Wolfmeyer, pleaded innocent Thursday and is free on $100,000 bond.
Federal authorities said Danton wanted the acquaintance killed after the two men argued April 13 over Danton's "promiscuity and use of alcohol." Danton allegedly "begged the acquaintance not to go to the general manager of the St. Louis Blues hockey organization and ruin his career," according to FBI criminal complaint filed in the case.
Prosecutors said Danton, with Wolfmeyer's help, hired what they thought was a hit man for $10,000 to kill the acquaintance at Danton's suburban St. Louis apartment while he was out of town for the NHL playoffs.
Danton was arrested April 16 in San Jose, Calif., a day after the San Jose Sharks beat the Blues to eliminate them from the playoffs. He returned to the St. Louis area Monday. Danton and Wolfmeyer were indicted April 22.
Danton was born Mike Jefferson but changed his name in 2002, saying that he no longer wanted to be associated with his family.
He came to the Blues in a June trade from the New Jersey Devils, where he had been twice suspended for disciplinary reasons. This past season, he had seven goals, 12 points and 141 penalty minutes, which tied him for most on the team.
The Blues have declined to comment on the case, though Blues players last month issued a statement showing support for their teammate.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
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