UPDATED: June 2, 2011, 4:30 p.m.

A Syracuse men’s basketball player was arraigned in Syracuse City Court Wednesday morning on a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Fab Melo, a sophomore center, is accused of reaching through the open driver’s side window of a 2003 Chevrolet Impala and breaking the turn signal control arm, defense lawyer Gary Sommer confirmed. The break caused the turn signal, headlight high beam control and windshield wiper control to become inoperable.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon in the 300 block of Slocum Heights on Syracuse University’s South Campus. The Department of Public Safety was not involved in the case, which was entirely handled by city police, DPS Chief Tony Callisto said.

Sommer declined to discuss the facts of the case and would not comment on the monetary damage done to the car. Fourth-degree criminal mischief charges are given in instances of recklessly damaging another’s property, exceeding $250 in damage.

Sommer said Melo, whose full name is Fabricio de Melo, was asked to appear in court and did so voluntarily. After pleading not guilty before City Judge James Cecile, Melo was released on his own recognizance, or without bail.

Cecile issued an order of protection for a woman. When contacted, Cecile said he could not speak about cases that were still pending. Sommer declined to comment on how or if Melo and the woman were involved. The woman was Melo’s girlfriend, according to an Associated Press article Wednesday.

The case was adjourned to June 14, Sommer said. Melo will then appear before City Judge Steve Dougherty, who handles domestic violence cases.

It is unclear how this will affect Melo’s standing on the team. Bernie Fine, an associate head coach for the men’s basketball team, accompanied Melo to court Wednesday but declined to comment on the subject. Pete Moore, spokesman for the team, said in an email Thursday the athletics department would not comment and directed further questions to university officials. 

Kevin Quinn, senior vice president for public affairs for SU, said in an email statement the university is unable to speak on the matter due to federal law and university policy. He did say Melo remains a currently enrolled student.

Melo, a former McDonald’s High School All-American, had a difficult freshman season for Syracuse. He averaged just 2.3 points per game for Syracuse and showed an inability to stay out of foul trouble. He started 24 games but played an average of only 9.9 minutes.

mjcohe02@syr.edu

— Asst. Sports Editor Ryne Gery contributed reporting to this article.

Published on May 31, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Michael: mjcohe02@syr.edu | @Michael_Cohen13