Nebraska Receiver Leaves the Team

Nebraska receiver Riley Washington, who played last season while charged with attempted second-degree murder, has left the two-time defending national champion Cornhuskers.

Washington, expected to graduate next week, pleaded innocent to shooting Jermaine Cole outside a convenience store Aug. 2, 1995. The case has been continued until next month and prosecutors said Tuesday they are not sure Washington will be tried because they have not been able to locate Cole.

“Mr. Cole chose to leave Nebraska and we have not been able to find him,” Assistant County Attorney Dave Stempson said. “I’m not real optimistic.”

Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne, who said Monday that Washington had left the team, has consistently said he believes the player is innocent.

“We were all waiting for the trial because that will prove that Riley was innocent,” Osborne said. “If [Cole] doesn’t show in the Sept. 9 trial, from what I hear, the charges will be dropped.”

Washington had three receptions for 24 yards last season.