By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 11, 2011
In the aftermath of their arrests this past weekend, Florida Gators basketball players Erik Murphy and Cody Larson have been suspended from the team, UF coach Billy Donovan announced today.
Murphy, a sophomore forward, and Larson, who is a freshman who was redshirted this past season, each face felony burglary charges stemming from an arrest early Sunday morning in St. Augustine. They are currently out on bail.
"I'm aware of Cody and Erik's situation and very disappointed with the news,'' Donovan said in a statement released this morning. "The two are currently suspended from basketball-related activities. I'm not going to comment further until I have more information and get a chance to meet with both student-athletes."
According to police. Larson and Murphy went into Scarlett O'Hara's Bar and Restaurant around 2 a.m. Sunday, claiming they had lost a wallet. Police said the men tried to get close to an employee who was counting money from the night.
Bouncers eventually forced Larson and Murphy to leave. Moments later, according to the report, they saw the men breaking into a co-worker's car in a parking lot across the street.