Former MSU basketball star in court for third case involving weapons

(WJBK) - A former MSU basketball star waived his preliminary exam in court Wednesday in a hearing on the latest weapons case against him.

Keith Appling faces four felony charges, including felony firearm, resisting and obstructing police, carrying a concealed weapon, and fleeing police.

In court Wednesday, Appling waved his preliminary exam and will likely head to a pretrial, where a judge will determine whether to send the case to trial.

Appling was arrested on August 28 after allegedly trying to flee an officer after a traffic stop and throwing a weapon out of the window.

This case is his third incident involving weapons since May.

On August 28, Appling was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal.

Police discovered a strong marijuana smell, but Appling said he had his medical marijuana card with him.

Officers told him he could not smoke in the car and asked him to step out so they could search for narcotics.

Appling refused to exit the vehicle, and police say he rolled his window out.

An officer's arm became trapped in the window, as the officer was still holding Appling's license and other paperwork.

The officer was able to yank his arm free from the window, and then police say Appling took off. Police followed him and Appling eventually came to a complete stop a few blocks away.

When police approached the car again, they noticed the passenger's seat was changed and didn't see a blue Gucci bag anymore that they noticed earlier.

Police backtracked and found the bag on the side of the road. Police say inside the bag was a pair of gym shoes and a handgun with 10 live rounds.

Appling will return to court at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 12.

He will head to trial for his other two arrests on Dec. 14 and Jan. 11.