BOULDER, Colo.—A University of Colorado linebacker faces probation or up to two years in jail at a sentencing hearing Wednesday on a misdemeanor assault conviction.
Sophomore Michael Sipili, 19, pleaded guilty Friday to the charge in exchange for prosecutors dropping a felony second-degree assault charge.
He was arrested Aug. 1 on suspicion of tackling and punching a 22-year-old CU student in a brawl in Boulder early June 16. The other student’s orbital bone was broken.
Sipili’s attorney, Lou Rubino, said his client had jumped in to the fight to defend a friend.
Sipili was suspended from the team through three games and will be eligible for reinstatement after that, the school said.
Sophomore defensive tackle Chris Perri, 20, also was suspended for the first three games of the season for his alleged involvement in the same fight.
Perri also was arrested in July after police said he fought with teammate Taj Kaynor. He received a deferred sentence.
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Information from: Camera,
