The Story County Attorney’s Office might make a decision early this week about whether to extradite NIU men’s basketball player John Culbertson.

County Attorney Mary Richards said Friday her office is “assessing” the case. She said the office is looking into the incident which prompted Culberton’s active warrant and the availability of witnesses.

“We’ve not made any determinations about the case,” she said. “Until there are some decisions made, I don’t think it’s fair to make a comment.”

Meanwhile, NIU men’s basketball coach Jim Rosborough said Saturday on WDEK-FM before the NIU-Wisconsin-Green Bay game Culbertson would not start and might not play much.

“There are three people responsible (for Culbertson’s not playing). One is John (Culbertson); two others are on the Northern Illinois campus,” he said.

osborough and Culbertson were unavailable for comment Sunday.

Ames, Iowa, authorities issued a warrant in May of 1984 for Culbertson’s arrest. He is charged with terrorism for allegedly shooting at and into another car on the morning of May 9, 1984.

The Chicago Tribune said Thursday the terrorism charge is a Class C felony, with a maximum 10-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. But, Richards said it is a Class D felony, with a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $7,500 fine. She said the Tribune’s figures might have come from 1984 laws, but Culbertson only would face 1987 penalties if he ever was convicted.

ichards said her office is contacting witnesses, but she declined to say how many have been located.

The county attorney said if her office decides to extradite him, the arrest warrant would not have to be changed. Instead, the office simply would ask to have it put on the national computer, she said. Richards said her office would not have to have a national warrant because “we know where he is now.”

ichards said her office could contact “the appropriate agency,” which she presumes would be the DeKalb Police Department and have its officers arrest Culbertson. But because no decision has been made yet, she said, “I guess I would prefer not to speculate.”

ichards said one way for Culbertson to be picked up is to turn himself in. Although she said that was only one alternative, she did not list other ways.

Since the news about the warrant appeared, Culbertson scored nine points and had nine rebounds against Wisconsin Tuesday but scored no points Friday and did not play Saturday.