Back in 2022, a warrant was out for the arrest of former NFL running back Eric Wilkerson, who was charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 46-year-old Brian Weems III.
The former Kent State running back who briefly played for the Pittsburgh Steelers pleaded guilty to amended charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in relation to a fatal stabbing. His indictment in 2022 had six charges dropped, which included aggravated murder.
Per Cleveland’s FOX 8, Wilkerson was sentenced to 12 to 17 and-a-half years of prison. Wilkerson would then stay on probation for two years after getting released.
Police said at the time that the 56-year-old followed Brian Weems into his apartment bathroom and stabbed him after an argument. He would then flee the scene.
Wilkerson attended Cleveland Central Catholic High School before transferring to Kent State, where he ranks second all-time in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Wilkerson scored 36 touchdowns during four seasons at Kent State and posted 2,888 yards in his final two years.
In 1989, he appeared in one NFL game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1990, he signed with the Detroit Lions but did not make the final roster.
Wilkerson then spent two seasons with the World League of American Football’s New York/New Jersey Knights in 1991 and 1992 before concluding his professional football career with the Arena Football League’s Cleveland Thunderbolts in 1993.
