UM's Robinson give one-year probation

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan basketball player Bernard Robinson Jr. was sentenced Tuesday to one year of probation and other penalties for two misdemeanor assault charges, but he will most likely remain on the team.

Robinson, 22, who will be a senior this fall, pleaded guilty to the two charges for touching a female student in April 2002.

Tuesday, he told the judge he was sorry for what he did.

"I'm going to learn from my mistakes, and I just want to get this in the past," said Robinson, who was selected Michigan's best defensive player and was an All-Big Ten third team selection this season.

"The sentencing was fair, and I should be OK as long as I stay on track."

Michigan coach Tommy Amaker and athletic director Bill Martin were out of town and unavailable for comment Tuesday. But Amaker said two weeks ago at the Michigan basketball banquet that he expected Robinson to be one of the team's leaders next season.

Beyond the probation, Wayne County Circuit Judge Donald Shelton fined Robinson $850 and ordered him to write a letter of apology to the victim.

Robinson also has to make a one-time presentation to Michigan athletes about the seriousness of his offense, take random drug and alcohol testing for one year and undergo a sexual offender evaluation.

The judge also banned Robinson from alcohol for a year and said he can't go into any establishments that primarily serve alcohol.

Attorney Nicholas Roumel, who represented Robinson, said random testing is a routine part of probation with this type of offense.

If Robinson violates any of the probation provisions, Shelton advised the player would be put in jail for 93 days.

 

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