ESPN College Football

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The attorney for a former University of Oklahoma quarterback planned to appeal his municipal court conviction on a misdemeanor charge of public drunkenness.

Judge William Manger dismissed a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace after witnesses failed to appear at the trial Monday in Oklahoma City Municipal Court.

Manger found Charles Thompson guilty after about two hours of testimony, saying consistent testimony from three police officers proved the case.

The officers testified they responded about 1 a.m. Nov. 18 to the Residence Inn in west Oklahoma City after hotel managers claimed they received multiple noise complaints about Thompson's room.

When they arrived, Thompson smelled of alcohol and was belligerent, the officers alleged. After arguing with police for several minutes, Thompson stepped out of the room and told officers, "Then take me to jail," the officers said.

Thompson and witnesses who were in the room said they were at the hotel preparing for a little league football game. After watching film with the kids, several coaches and parents stayed in the room to decorate banners and make final preparations for the game, they said.

The witnesses testified there was no alcohol at the event and Thompson wasn't drinking that night. They also accused officers of being aggressive and using profanity when they arrived.

Attorney Michael Johnson said Thompson is appealing the decision to make a point.

"This is an unjustified attack on Mr. Thompson's character and integrity," Johnson said. "We intend to take this all the way."

Thompson, 38, led the Sooners to an 11-1 season in 1987. He was arrested in 1989, a tumultuous year for the program, on charges he sold 17 grams of cocaine to undercover FBI agents for $1,400.

Following his arrest, Thompson appeared on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" magazine in handcuffs and an orange jail-issue jumpsuit. He eventually went to prison as a result of the charges.

Thompson most recently worked as a color analyst covering high school football games for Oklahoma City sports radio station WWLS.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press