Sipili to remain suspended through sentencing
CU linebacker Michael Sipili pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault charges Thursday, although his felony assault and criminal mischief charges were dismissed.
Sipili and sophomore defensive tackle Chris Perri were involved in a fight with fellow CU students John Antrim, a senior psychology major, and James Terry, a senior communication major, on June 16, as reported on ESPN.com.
Although Sipili did not initiate the fight, his participation in it led to a felony charge, a misdemeanor assault charge and a criminal mischief charge. Antrim sustained injuries requiring surgery.
Lou Rubino, Sipili’s attorney, said this was an isolated incident in the sophomore linebacker’s past.
“This was a reaction to a situation where he felt his friend was in danger,” Rubino said. “The whole thing for Mike was way out of character.”
Because the fight is so unlike Sipili’s personality, Rubino suggested restorative justice along with probation as the sentence.
“What it means is when two people have a situation like this, or other kinds of situations, they sit down with a mediator and discuss what happened and why it happened,” Rubino said. “It’s designed to put people in a good place with each other.”
After the arrest, the scholarship football player was suspended indefinitely from the team. As of Thursday’s plea, Sipili’s suspension will stand at least until the Sept. 12 sentencing.
“Michael Sipili will remain suspended from competition through the Florida State game,” athletic director Mike Bohn said in a prepared statement. “He will be eligible for reinstatement for CU’s September 22 game against Miami-Ohio.”
Rubino said he plans to use the Hawaii native’s personality and history as a defense.
“Mike Sipili is a really good kid, had no prior offenses at all and stayed out of trouble his whole life really,” Rubino said.
Sipili played in all 12 games of his freshman year and earned honorable mention Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Margot Schneider at margot.schneider@thecampuspress.com
