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Judge Withdraws Smallwood’s Guilty Plea, Paving Early Release

8/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. Judge Renard Scott withdrew NFL running back Wendell Smallwood Jr.’s state guilty plea, allowing his release as early as Aug. 17.
Smallwood’s eight-year-old daughter Mila, diagnosed with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor, has only weeks to live.
A July 2024 U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit decision striking down New Jersey’s assault-weapons ban let him withdraw the plea.

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Story summary

U.S. Judge Renard Scott withdrew NFL running back Wendell Smallwood Jr.’s state guilty plea, allowing his release as early as Aug. 17.
Smallwood’s eight-year-old daughter Mila, diagnosed with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor, has only weeks to live.
A July 2024 U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit decision striking down New Jersey’s assault-weapons ban let him withdraw the plea.