Criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and harassment charges against Butler graduate Tyrell Sales were dropped during a preliminary hearing Friday morning at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

Sales was one of six Penn State football players facing charges following an early morning fight April 1 at an off-campus apartment.

Charges against cornerback Justin King were dropped at the beginning of the eight-hour hearing because of a lack of evidence.

Sales, fellow linebacker Jerome Hayes and cornerback Lydell Sargeant all were cleared of charges during the hearing.

"They were there, but charges against them are weak at best,"Centre County District Judge Carmine Prestia told The Associated Press about dropping the charges against Sales, Hayes and Sargeant.

"I'm relieved,"Sales said of the judge's decision. "It was just an awkward situation. I didn't see where I caused any harm to anyone."

Penn State starting safety Anthony Scirrotto and defensive lineman Chris Baker will stand trial on a variety of charges stemming from the apartment scuffle.

Former Butler football coach Garry Cathell, who coached Sales throughout his high school career, said Friday that Sales was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"That's all this is. The truth will come out,"Cathell said. "I've always believed in that kid and I still believe in him. He's a good student and a good person."

Sales played in Penn State's annual Blue-White Game April 21 and led all defensive players with 11 tackles, including six solo stops, as his White team defeated the Blue, 30-6.

"That's the second year in a row he led that game in tackles,"Cathell said. "It's particularly significant this year since a starting job is his to lose."

Sales backed up Dan Connor at outside linebacker for the Nittany Lions last season. Connor was moved to inside linebacker during spring drills, leaving a outside starting position available for Sales.

"You go to a big school like this, sometimes you have to wait your turn to play,"Sales said. "I've never stopped working hard. I've been in the weight room and I'll stay in the weight room.

"Nothing is handed to anybody here. I'm trying to earn my position, show the coaches I belong on the field."

Sales is competing with Navarro Bowman, who had four total tackles in the spring game, for a starting spot.

Cathell said he has remained in steady contact with Sales since the latter's high school graduation three years ago.

"I called him the day after this whole thing happened,"Cathell said. "I've talked to (Penn State assistantcoach Tom Bradley) about it and to Tyrell at great length.

"I talked to him Friday and he told me how the whole thing was a big farce. He's breathing a lot easier now."

"This has been a rough month for me,"Sales admitted. "It feels like this thing has been hanging over our heads. Hopefully, now I can concentrate on football."

Sales and his teammates still must await any disciplinary action from the university. Cathell said a member of the school's board of regents was on hand for Friday's hearing.

"All charges against me were dropped,"Sales said. "I'm not anticipating any type of punishment."

Using good judgment and being a good teammate can be a difficult line for young athletes to walk at times, Cathell intimated.

"Essentially, football becomes your job when you sign a Division I scholarship,"he said. "Coaches preach to kids the importance of staying together.

"You're depended upon to keep each other's backs. These guys go to battle together, they work together. ... People will say these guys weren't thinking about Penn State football or Coach Paterno, but it's hard to break out of that mold."

Being a DivisionIfootball player attracts media attention as well.

"These types of scuffles happen up there every weekend,"Cathell said. "When football players get involved, it attracts media attention."

Sales saw action primarily on special teams for the Nittany Lions last season. He had 19 tackles and started three games during his freshman campaign.

Sales will be a redshirt junior this fall and is one of 33 lettermen returning from last year's 9-4 season.