Wilcox’s Gun Charge Is Dismissed

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — A handgun charge against Clipper forward Chris Wilcox was dismissed Tuesday. The former Maryland standout was arrested in June after police found a gun in his car during a traffic stop.

The discovery probably would not have been admissible in court, because Wilcox should have been allowed to leave the scene before the arrival of a canine unit that found the weapon, said Tim McCrone, Howard County state’s attorney.

“The police officers acted in good faith, but if you miss it by a minute you miss it,” McCrone said.

Wilcox, 22, could not provide documentation at the time that the gun belonged to him or that he had a permit to carry the weapon, police said.

Wilcox’s attorney, Rebecca Nitkin, said Tuesday that the gun was registered in North Carolina and that Wilcox had begun carrying it because he was once robbed at gunpoint.

She said a number of professional athletes are growing concerned that their wealth makes them potential targets of violent crime, noting that Philadelphia Eagle linebacker Jerome McDougle was shot last week in Miami by three teenagers during an apparent holdup.

She added that Wilcox’s demeanor toward authorities on the night of his arrest contributed to prosecutors’ decision to drop the charges.

“He was considered by all 12 police officers to be incredibly respectful and polite,” Nitkin said.

The Clippers were relieved.

“We are glad to hear about this development. Now Chris can focus his attention on the coming season,” said Joe Safety, the Clippers’ vice president of communications.