Judge finds probable cause for ex-Auburn players

A judge said Wednesday there’s probable cause for a grand jury to consider charges against four former Auburn University football players accused in a robbery. Lee County District Judge Steven Speakman issued the ruling after granting a defense request to bar the public and media from attending the preliminary hearing because three of the players are under 21.

Antonio Goodwin, Shaun Kitchens, Mike McNeil and Dakota Mosley are free on bond following their arrests last month in an alleged holdup at the home of other college students. The grand jury meets the first week of May. District Attorney Robbie Treese and attorneys for both Mosley and Kitchens declined comment. Attorneys for McNeil and Goodwin did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Goodwin did not attend the hearing, and the others slipped out a side door afterward.

Coach Gene Chizik kicked all four off the national championship team after their arrests on charges of robbery, theft and burglary.