Getting back to football

Derek Graves, 7, wide receiver.

No Criminal Charge for Kramer

It’s time to close the chapter on the incident involving Idaho State head football coach Mike Kramer and wide receiver Derek Graves.
Pocatello prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against Kramer.  There wasn’t enough merit to charge the second year coach since investigators believed that Kramer did not intend to harm Graves or commit a criminal act.
Pocatello City Attorney Dean Tranmer also said that Graves’ decision to wait 11 days before filing the complaint and his decision to release the videotape to ESPN influenced the decision to not charge Kramer.
“That was of some concern to us, but more importantly, we didn’t feel there was any intent to harm Mr. Graves or commit a criminal act,” Tranmer said. “Obviously, we could have legitimately filed a charge, but all the factors combined led us to this decision.”
Graves has not played since Oct. 3, but has participated in team meetings and was in attendance at multiple practices before being suspended indefinitely for repeatedly being late to practice.
Tranmer said that this incident should have been resolved internally.
“We have exercised our prosecutorial discretion and this is the way we felt it should be resolved,” Tranmer said.
Steve Schaack, ISU’s assistant athletic director for media relations, continued to offer no comment on the issue and said, “As an athletic department, because it is a matter investigated by the Pocatello Police Department, all questions are deferred to them.”
Kramer has also continued to withhold any comments on the incident.
The Bengals took the field against Cal Poly Saturday, Nov. 10, and lost 70-14 behind quarterback Kevin Yost’s 335 yards.
They will return for their final game of the season as they take on the Weber State Wildcats at Holt Arena Saturday, Nov. 17, at 4:05 p.m. This will be the final game for ISU seniors Yost, Rodrick Rumble, Donovan Henley, Josh Hill and Jake Rouser.