Cocaine Found in Bias Room in Dorm

Cocaine was found in the dormitory room where college basketball star Len Bias collapsed before his death last Thursday morning and there may have been attempts to hide evidence, a prosecutor said Monday.

Arthur Marshall, state’s attorney for Prince George’s County, said the drug was found in the University of Maryland dorm room, but that the room was found to be unusually neat when it was checked by authorities.

“I don’t think there is any question that the room where Bias died was sanitized,” he said, adding that drug paraphernalia was found in a garbage bin outside the dorm.

Bias, 22, died two days after being selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the National Basketball Assn. draft.

Marshall said there may have been a delay of up to 30 minutes before an ambulance was called, but that he did not know if that contributed to Bias’ death.

Also Monday, about 1,300 people, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, attended a funeral service for Bias in College Park.

Marshall said he had been told that traces of cocaine were found in a urine sample tested at the hospital where Bias was pronounced dead.

The prosecutor said, however, that he doesn’t know what caused Bias’ death and doesn’t know if cocaine was a contributing factor.

Marshall said he will go ahead with a criminal investigation into Bias’ death and will begin presenting evidence to the grand jury July 1.

The investigation will focus on who supplied illegal drugs and who used them as Bias, his teammates and friends spent the early morning hours celebrating, Marshall said at a news conference.

If the state medical examiner determines cocaine was responsible for the cardiac arrest, the prosecutor said it was possible that he might bring manslaughter charges against the person who supplied the drugs.

Marshall conferred with Alan Goldstein, a lawyer who represents David Gregg and Terry Long, two teammates who were with Bias in the dorm room the morning he died.

Goldstein said Long and Gregg will appear before the grand jury if they are issued subpoenaes and will testify if they are granted immunity. Marshall said he is not prepared to grant immunity yet, but that he wants to talk to the players.

Police are trying to locate Brian Tribble, a friend of Bias, and Tribble’s roommate, Mark Fobbs, Marshall said. Some of Bias’ teammates said he and Tribble drove to Washington, D.C., several hours before his death. A police official acknowledged there were reports Bias had been seen in an area known for drug sales.

Marshall described Tribble as having a criminal record involving minor theft but no involvement with drugs.

University of Maryland officials “have not been as cooperative as law enforcement officials would like them to be,” Marshall said, adding he wants to talk with basketball Coach Lefty Driesell about a meeting he had with his team hours after Bias died.

There have been reports that Driesell instructed the players how to respond to questions from police and reporters.

“I’d like to know what he (Driesell) knows about drugs on campus,” Marshall said, but added that he does not expect Driesell’s involvement to result in charges being filed against him.

The state’s attorney said he also will be looking into reports of a wide abuse of drugs at the university, including abuse by athletes.

At Bias’ funeral, Jackson made a reference to drugs in his talk, according to those who attended.

“He tried to point out that in Lenny’s death, there may be a message to young people,” said Tom McMillen, a former Maryland star and NBA player.

Other speakers at the 80-minute chapel ceremony included Driesell; John B. Slaughter, the university chancellor; the Rev. Leamon W. White of Mount Bethel Baptist Church, and Richard E. Watkins, class leader at Pilgrim A.M.E. Church, where Bias was baptized.

The eulogy was given by Rev. G.L. Edmond of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Raleigh, N.C., and Bias’ sister, Michelle, sang a solo.

On hand from the NBA were Red Auerbach, the president of the Celtics, and players Moses Malone and Thurl Bailey.

A Study indicates that cocaine can lead to heart attacks. Pete Thomas’ story, page 7.