Former UT basketball player, Ramar Smith, surrenders to police
By Don Jacobs (Contact), J.J. Stambaugh (Contact)
Originally published 06:18 a.m., May 21, 2009
Updated 06:18 a.m., May 21, 2009


KNOXVILLE — Former University of Tennessee basketball player Ramar Smith surrendered today on charges of aggravated robbery.

He turned himself in about 2:02 a.m. at the City County Building, according to Knoxville Police Department Officer James Cox. Further details were not immediately available.

Police had been searching for Smith, 22, in connection with a home invasion robbery that took place Monday in North Knoxville, according to KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk.

DeBusk said police wanted to question Smith about the robbery at Steeplechase Apartments, 5800 Central Avenue Pike. DeBusk said something was stolen during that home invasion, but he declined to identify what was taken.

Police also were trying to determine if the home invasion robbery was connected to a Tuesday night shooting at a South Knoxville apartment complex that left one person in critical condition.

Authorities were called to a reported shooting at Woodlands Townhouses of Knoxville, 3700 Spruce Ridge Way, at about 11:41 p.m. Tuesday, according to police.

They found Charles Corn, age unavailable, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the living room of his apartment, according to DeBusk.

“There were several other individuals in the apartment at the time” of the shooting, he said.

Witnesses told police that two men were seen leaving the area after the shooting.

DeBusk declined to say what type of firearm was used or where on his body Corn was shot. Corn was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

Among the witnesses in the apartment was 22-year-old Brent Vinson, a defensive back with the UT football team.

Vinson gave a statement to police but is not considered a suspect, said KPD Investigator A.J. Loeffler.

“He’s just a witness,” Loeffler said.

Smith is from Mount Clemens, Mich., and was dismissed last year from the team by UT coach Bruce Pearl. Sources at that time told the News Sentinel that the dismissal resulted from Smith’s violation of UT’s substance abuse policy and academic shortcomings.

Prior to his dismissal, Smith had been an All-SEC freshman selection. After his departure, Smith had been playing basketball in Europe.

Typical. I am glad Pearl got rid of him. He was obviously a big problem waiting to happen.

What a complete moron! From basketball scholarship at a top twenty program and ultimately a college degree to years in the state pen.

Idiot - not much else to say really.

It is unfortunate because he had so much talent. I loved the way he recklessly went to the rim as a freshman. Sadly, he was way too out of control to make good decisions as a point guard. I guess the same can be said of his personal life too.

Once a thug, always a thug.

I just don't get it. You'd think you'd get used to this stuff every time it happens, but for the life of me, I just don't understand how you can have the whole world in the palm of your hand, every resource available to you to succeed, and you essentially choose to f*&^ up like this.

Hmmm.....play basketball at Tennessee....or dick around, flunk out, and get booted out of school and do this.

Typical college fights, PI's, hell even the weed....that stuff doesn't bother me. It's college....let's be real people. But this stuff....wtf are you thinking? Good thing he's no longer apart of the team.

He had no business taking that last second drive against tOSU in 2007.

Let's start with Ramar Smith's situation. You're not going to get this anywhere else but here's what authorities believe based on some conversations I've had with those in the know around town. They believe Ramar Smith is into some pretty serious criminal activity these days and that his life has taken a turn for the worse. Smith, as is being reported, is being questioned on a home invasion that happened recently at Steeplechase Apartments. Well, there is a belief that Smith was involved in this latest shooting which happened Monday night in South Knoxville at an apartment complex. Now. Follow this. Everybody in town knows that Ramar Smith's running buddy is Brent Vinson. Yes that Brent Vinson. The guy who's been in trouble countless time at Tennessee for not wanting to tow the line.


You're not going to see this anywhere but there are folks in town trying to piece together Vinson's role along with Smith's if any, in what happened at those apartments. There is another former Vol football player who authorities believe was there when this latest incident (the shooting) occurred.


I believe that Brent Vinson has played his last game at UT. He was one of the guys told back in December that he was being closely watched. He was read the zero tolerance speech. Let's put it this way. For him not to have been involved in this is a pretty strong coincidence since his main man Ramar Smith will be questioned regarding that shooting while they are giving him the once over about the separate home invasion. In other words, Vinson may have just been there getting out of his car or arriving from a workout or something innocent, but to believe that would be a stretch to say the least. I say if you run with dogs, you get fleas and Vinson it seems has run out of chances.


I feel for Ramar Smith. That's a young man who's headed for some serious prison time. It may not be on this go around. Or maybe it will be if authorities can put enough pieces together. Either way, it seems Smith has chosen a path that will lead to destruction. That's a real shame.


I know people are going to want to blame Pearl and to some extent Fulmer when stuff like this happens with their guys. But honestly, no one can live the lives before them but these young men. Guys, it's time to grow up. Vinson needs to find solid friends that encourage him to do the right thing. Not guys living the thug life! It's a real shame what has taken place here.


Watch as this story develops because it, unfortunately, will!

The Edge on TonyBasilio.com

Yeah, Vinson is a hell of a talented athlete, and yes, he needs to go too.

Man shot in South Knoxville apartment dies from wounds

By News Sentinel staff
Originally published 07:50 p.m., May 24, 2009
Updated 07:50 PM

KNOXVILLE — A man shot last week at a South Knoxville apartment complex has died.
Charles Corn, age unavailable, died today at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.
Knoxville police on May 19 found Corn shot multiple times in the living room of his apartment at Woodlands Townhouses of Knoxville, 3700 Spruce Ridge Way, at about 11:41 p.m.
There were several witnesses in the apartment including 22-year-old Brent Vinson, a defensive back with the UT football team, according to the Knoxville Police Department.
More details as they develop online and in Monday’s News Sentinel.





© 2008 Knoxville News Sentinel