Michigan football player accused in dorm room theft 'didn't intend to steal anything,' attorney says

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Wed, Nov 16, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.

Michigan safety Marvin Robinson, who is accused of breaking into a dorm room on campus and stealing an Xbox in September, "didn't intend to steal anything," his attorney, Gerry Mason, said this afternoon.

"There's no intent to steal or permanently deprive someone of personal property," Mason said during an interview at 14A District Court, shortly after Judge Charles Pope adjourned the case against Robinson until January.

Marvin Robinson

Robinson, 20, a sophomore backup safety from Winter Haven, Fla., is charged with second-degree home invasion.

University of Michigan police said Robinson is accused of entering a room at West Quadrangle dormitory between 12:30 and 10 p.m. Sept. 29 and stealing an Xbox, along with a game. A 20-year-old student reported to police that he believes he left the room locked when the items were stolen. University police spokeswoman Diane Brown said investigators found no signs of forced entry. Police said a computer investigation revealed that the Xbox had been used at another location and that's what led investigators to Robinson.

Robinson was arraigned on the charge last week and was released on a promise to appear. This afternoon, Mason provided Judge Pope with a form Robinson signed, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing within 14 days. Pope waived Robinson's appearance today and agreed to adjourn the preliminary hearing until Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.

At that hearing, prosecutors must show there is probable cause that a crime was committed and that Robinson committed it.

Mason said Robinson already has an Xbox. In fact, he has two, Mason said. The student who reported the theft is an acquaintance of Robinson's, and Robinson has been in his room on "various occasions," Mason said. They trade Xboxes, he said. Mason, a U-M graduate, said it's not uncommon for a student to go into another student's room.

"I lived in Michigan dorms and I used to walk into my room and find people sitting there, watching TV," he said.

Robinson is going to cooperate with university police and Washtenaw County prosecutors, Mason said, adding that Robinson has no criminal record.

"He goes to class," he said. "He goes to study hall. He goes to practice. And he goes to church every Sunday with his mom and dad."

Mason said he could not speak about Robinson's status with the team, and would leave that to the university.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said in a statement last week, "We will let the legal process run its course and we will not have any further comment until that time."

Robinson had nine tackles in five games and started against Notre Dame. He did not travel with the team to Iowa or Illinois, which Hoke said was because of an undisclosed injury.

If convicted, Robinson faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.