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LSU QB Anthony Jennings, two teammates won't face charges

BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings could soon be able to rejoin the Tigers' quarterback competition. Jennings and two teammates will not face criminal charges over an alleged burglary that resulted in their arrests on June 18.

East Baton Rouge district attorney Hillar Moore announced Friday that he is dropping charges against Jennings, defensive back Dwayne Thomas and defensive lineman Maquedius Bain. In a statement the D.A.'s office released to multiple media outlets, Moore explained that the players' behavior was "unacceptable," but he did not believe the case warranted prosecution.

"The decision is based upon the request of the victim that no charges be filed and inconsistent and contradictory statements provided," Moore said. "Although the conduct of these students in this situation is unacceptable, it is not one, based on the facts that warrant prosecution, although their actions could have subjected them to such."

Thomas and Bain told police at the time of their arrests that they were retrieving items that had been stolen from Jennings' apartment on June 10.

At the time of their arrests, all three players were charged with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, while Thomas faced an additional charge of simple burglary.

According to the LSU police arrest report, Jennings had reported that a MacBook Air laptop, a PlayStation 4 video game console and three pairs of Nike Air Jordan shoes had been stolen from his apartment. Jennings, Thomas and Bain were accused of forcing their way into an off-campus apartment where they believed the items were located on June 12, and the alleged victim identified Thomas as one member of their group who left with a blue box he had taken from a bedroom in the apartment.

The alleged victim told police that Jennings' group had left the apartment with a PlayStation 4 and three blue boxes containing pairs of Air Jordans. Bain told police he had previously recovered Jennings' stolen laptop.

Moore's decision clears a path for the players' return to active participation on the team -- which will likely have a bearing on the Tigers' quarterback competition.

Following their arrests, Tigers coach Les Miles suspended the trio until the criminal case was resolved. Miles maintained throughout the summer that he expected to reinstate the suspended players and for the quarterback battle between Jennings and Brandon Harris to continue during preseason practice. However, junior Jennings missed the Tigers' formal workouts and throwing sessions during the suspension, allowing sophomore Harris to gain additional experience with the team's receivers.

Nonetheless, Jennings has a significant experience advantage, having started 12 games last season to Harris' one, and Miles has said he will still be able to compete for the starting job when the Tigers open preseason practice on Aug. 6.

LSU ranked 114th nationally and last in the SEC in passing offense last season with an average of 162.9 yards per game. Individually, Jennings ranked 106th in the FBS with an average of 123.9 passing yards per game.