Ex-Football Player Gets Probation After Brawl
ANN ARBOR (WWJ/AP) - A student at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School has received four months' probation for his role in an on-field brawl that broke out following a football game.
Bashir Garain was sentenced Tuesday in Washtenaw County Trial Court for assault with a dangerous weapon. Terms of his probation include graduating from high school, enrolling in college and paying $1,741 in court costs. Judge Donald Shelton said Garain's conviction will be cleared if he successfully completes probation.
"I'm not a bad person. This is just something that happened," Garain told the judge.
Garain was injured in an early season game and was on the sidelines Oct. 12 when a fight erupted at midfield between coaches and players after Pioneer defeated Ann Arbor Huron 35-6. The fight started after coaches for both teams argued near midfield, and escalated when an assistant Pioneer coach shoved Huron's head coach.
Garain pleaded guilty last month to swinging a crutch. Two Huron players were hit with the crutch during the melee, one of which received stitches at a local hospital.
Two other teenagers were charged in the case. One was found responsible for assault and was sentenced to six months probation and a $50 fine, while the other is awaiting trial on June 24 after rejecting a plea deal.
Pioneer defensive coordinator Vince Wortmann was fired after the fight, and Huron football coach Cory Gildersleeve resigned after a two-game suspension.
TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
