Michigan State Players may avoid criminal charges

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Four Michigan State football players charged with misdemeanor assault may have those charges dismissed in exchange for community service and other conditions, the player’s attorneys said on Friday.

The charges stem from a scuffle that broke out in the tunnel at The Big House. It came moments after the Wolverines defeated the Spartans 29-7 on October 22 at Michigan Stadium. Furthermore, video footage showed Spartans players pushing, punching, and kicking the Wolverines’ Ja’Den McBurrows.

“It’s going to happen outside of court,” said Max Manoogian, an attorney for Angelo Grose, one of the players facing charges. “There is going to be no criminal responsibility whatsoever. There are no admissions being made, no pleas being tendered.”

The “Accountability Plan”

The players, Angelo Grose, Itayvion Brown, Brandon Wright, and Justin White, have agreed to sign up for a special program. The program, called the “Accountability Plan,” is run by the prosecutor’s office in Washtenaw County. The program’s chief assistant prosecutor, Victoria Burton-Harris, spoke on the matter. She stated that “participants work with a case manager to create and successfully complete a plan for accountability. Upon completion of that plan, charges are dismissed.”

Moreover, Manoogian predicts that the charges will be dismissed in six months. He said that the players “are going to do some good work in the community, do a little bit of philanthropic work, jump through a couple of hoops and the prosecutor’s going to dismiss the case on their own.”

Michigan State

Syndication: Detroit Free Press

University of Michigan to adjust Big House seating after scuffle with Michigan State

Additionally, the University of Michigan is removing 45 seats near the Michigan Stadium tunnel in order to create a wider area for players and coaches to safely pass through on game days. This adjustment comes after a fan reached into the tunnel passage and touched Michigan State coach Mel Tucker’s head. Tucker swiped back and pointed towards the fan, and later identified him. The fan is no longer welcome at The Big House.

Additionally, the Big Ten imposed a $100,000 fine for Michigan State and a reprimand for Michigan. The stated that the school failed to provide “adequate protection for personnel of both home and visiting teams when entering and leaving playing arenas.”

Michigan State

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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