Oregon running back LaMichael James pleaded guilty this morning to a single count of physical harassment, part of a plea agreement from a February domestic dispute with an ex-girlfriend. James and his attorney agreed to 24 months of probation as well as a 10 day jail sentence, one that is unlikely to be served, due to overcrowding. James has already been credited for two days served, the time he spent in jail after being arrested, so at most, the sentence will be for 8 additional days.
With a media circus gathering outside the courthouse, the six-minute hearing was brief and James was ruled eligible for alternative court programs, likely forms of community service that James could perform instead of jail time. He’ll report to Lane County jail today to find out his exact punishment.
Included in the guilty plea, James submitted a signed apology letter, written on March 9:
I apologize to (victim’s name removed) both for the incident andeverything she has had to go through since it happened. I acceptresponsibility for my actions. I am also sorry that she has beentreated by some people as though she deserved blame for this. She doesnot. I ask people to treat her with respect. She has not done anythingwrong.
“(Victim’s name removed) and I have been in a relationship thathas meant a lot to both of us. Regardless of how things are now, I carefor and respect her and ask that others do the same. During the longperiod we were boyfriend-girlfriend, we each grew close to oneanother’s families. I think we all still care for each other in thatway.
“I hope to put this matter behind me now and learn from it. Ihave made a mistake and accept the consequences. I look forward todemonstrating to my University, to my team and to the community that Iam a better man than recent events suggest.
Thank you,
LaMichael James
James’ date in court is one of two today for Oregon football players, with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli expected at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. Masoli will enter a plea on second-degree burglary charges, stemming from a frat house robbery in late January. Masoli was charged along with wide receiver Garrett Embry, who was already dismissed from the team by head coach Chip Kelly.
Kelly is expected to comment on all of this sometime today, as well as discuss punishment for James and Masoli, the two biggest stars on the Ducks’ football team.
