ANN ARBOR, Mich. — At least four other Michigan State football players charged with misdemeanor for a skirmish inside Michigan’s stadium tunnel will likely have their cases thrown out in exchange for community service and other conditions, lawyers said on Friday.
“It’s going to be out of court,” said Max Manoogian, attorney for Angelo Grose. “There will be no criminal liability. There is no confession, no plea is presented.”
Scuffles broke out in the tunnel after Michigan beat Michigan State 29-7 on October 29. Video showed Michigan State players pushing, hitting and kicking Michigan’s Ja’Den McBurrows.
Seven players have been charged, but only one, Khary Crump, has faced a felony. That charge was dropped in early January in exchange for a guilty plea to a misdemeanor. His record will be erased if he stays out of trouble during his probationary period.
Grose, Itayvion Brown, Brandon Wright and Justin White returned to court on Friday and agreed to enroll in a special program, MLive.com reported.
“Participants work with a case manager to create and carry out an accountability plan. Once that plan is completed, charges are dismissed,” said Victoria Burton-Harris, Washtenaw County Chief Assistant District Attorney.
Manoogian predicted the charges would be dismissed in six months.
“They’re going to do some good work in the community, do some philanthropic work, jump through a few hoops, and the prosecutor is going to drop the case on their own,” he said.
