Royce White lawyer: Client tried to "protect himself" from guard

Miami, Fla. - In a legal proceeding that could affect Minnesota freshman forward Royce White's playing status, the former prep star's lawyer said he will ask a judge Wednesday morning to remove a shoplifting charge and reconsider an assault charge against him.

White was cited for shoplifting at the Mall of America Oct. 13. He's accused of taking $100 worth of clothes. A mall security guard who confronted White, 6-8, 240 pounds, said White "pushed him to the ground two times." White was also cited for fifth-degree assault.

Although he was Tubby Smith's top recruit in the class of 2009, he hasn't played this season because of his legal issues.

He's scheduled to go to trial Wednesday morning in Edina to face the charges from the mall incident.

But White's lawyer, F. Clayton Tyler, said he'll argue that the security guard "was running at my client" and that White was "trying to protect himself," possibly making White an assault victim.

Tyler also said he'll request a "stay of imposition" on the shoplifting accusation. If granted, the shoplifting citation would be dismissed in a year, provided White stays out of trouble and there are "no similar instances in a year."

"I think we'll resolve the case tomorrow," Tyler said Tuesday night.

Tyler also said that he'll discuss an on-campus burglary that occurred a few weeks after the MOA incident following White's trial. Police called White a "possible suspect." But Tyler said, "Police haven't named him as a suspect, the media has."

School officials said campus police informed them that White was a "possible suspect" a few days after the incident.