LaMichael James pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor physical harassment Friday morning. Lane County Circuit Court Judge Maurice Merten sentenced the Oregon running back to 10 days in jail and 24 months probation.
James must report to the Lane County Jail by 4 p.m. today. However, District Attorney Alex Gardner said James is “low risk,” and is eligible for alternative programs. He will likely not spend more time behind bars if he’s compliant with his probation.
“Using jail space for someone like Mr. James would have been a waste of space,” Gardner said.
James pleaded guilty to one count of physical harassment, and the other four counts he was originally charged on were dropped. James was originally arrested on the morning of Feb. 16 for the incident.
“From very early on, clearly he was willing to accept responsibility,” Gardner said. “For us … it is very significant when someone is compliant and says, ‘I screwed up.’”
James must also not have contact with the plaintiff, Heidi Siebenlist, who is his ex-girlfriend.
Through a letter submitted by her attorney Jodee Scott, Siebenlist said she is satisfied with the plea agreement.
“My client did not want to ruin Mr. James’ life, but did want him to be held accountable for what he had done,” the letter said.
The hearing was over in a matter of minutes, with the room full of media members curious to what James would plead. Dressed in a blue dress shirt, James and his two lawyers left through a different door, and he did not address the media.
Gardener’s office also passed out the sentencing memorandum to James case, which described in detail the events of the night he was arrested.
According to the memo, the Abuse Prevention Act requires immediate arrest in circumstances such as James’. It required law enforcement officers to make preliminary charges before a thorough investigation was complete. The memo and Gardner both say dismissal of some of the charges after investigation is appropriate.
Gardner also addressed concerns some might have over James pleading not guilty originally then changing his plea. He said in 99.9 percent of first arraignments, a non-guilty plea is entered.
“There’s nothing significant to changing a non-guilty plea to a guilty one,” he said.
In the memorandum James also submitted a statement on March 9 apologizing for his actions. It read:
“I apologize to Heidi both for the incident and everything she has had to go through since it happened. I accept responsibility for my actions. I am also sorry that she has been treated by some people as though she deserved blame for this. She does not. I ask people to treat her with respect. She has not done anything wrong.
“Heidi and I have been in a relationship that has meant a lot to both of us. Regardless of how things are now, I care for and respect her and ask that others do the same. During the long period we were boyfriend-girlfriend, we each grew close to one another’s families. I think we all still care for each other in that way.
“I hope to put this matter behind me now and learn from it. I have made a mistake and accept the consequences. I look forward to demonstrating to my University, to my team and to the community that I am a better man than recent events suggest.”
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