Well nothing like a plea deal to bring things back down to a manageable level.
Sheard, 21, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He also agreed to pay medical bills for the victim, Edward Parker, 27, of Stanton Heights, and write a letter of apology to him.
District Judge Robert Ravenstahl approved the plea agreement and ordered Sheard to pay a fine of $300, plus court costs.
The disorderly conduct charge is a summary offense. The charges dropped in the plea deal were the aggravated assault (felony), resisting arrest and criminal mischief.
Sheard’s defense attorney declared the outcome unsurprising and typical for a first-time offender.
Parker was knocked through a glass door at the art gallery and suffered cuts and bruises, which Sheard attorney William Diffenderfer said required “a few staples in his head.” Diffenderfer said Parker has 90 days to forward his medical bills from UPMC Shadyside Hospital to Sheard.
“This was an unfortunate fist fight on the South Side,” said Diffenderfer, who added that the agreement with Parker was worked out “amicably.”
“Frankly, from my experience, it was handled no differently than any other fist fight.”
Both Sheard and Parker declined comment as they left the courtroom.
Following this, Jabaal Sheard was reinstated to Pitt’s’ football team.
“This situation with Jabaal was as surprising as it was disappointing to me,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said in a statement released by the university. “Until this incident, his behavior has always been representative of the high standards we have for our program on and off the field. I’m confident he will learn from this and be wiser moving forward.”
According to the statement, Wannstedt said Sheard will continue to be subject to internal discipline and accountability.
The indications are that the “internal discipline and accountability” will be of the Bobby Bowden variety.
…likely including some extra running and conditioning drills, but it looks like all systems are go for him to start the team’s opener at Utah.
I’m feeling decidedly ambivalent about things if that is the extent of the punishment.
From the football side of things, there is no question that this is good and helps the team immeasurably in what is a very tough opening game on the road. It also feeds into the idea of not punishing the team for Sheard’s actions. And of course, the final dispensation of the case is that Sheard ultimately pled guilty to a single disorderly conduct charge — a very minor offense
But…
He still put a guy through a glass door while fighting. He still acted so recklessly and dangerously. There are no actual disputes as to what the police report indicated occurred. At least a suspension for the opening game seems like it still would have been appropriate.
I think Dave W. has too much pride in his program and too much love for his players to not do the right thing though. Dave is the kind of guy that whatever he does is going to be what he thinks is best for Pitt, best for team discipline and morale, and best for Sheard’s growth as a team player and good citizen. This isn’t Bobby Bowden or JoePa.
The program will take care of the rest. Bring on the start to camp!
Obviously this was a problem before this happened but it looks like the community is responding with responsibility.
Think about it. If you’re playing for Utah, you’re lining up against a guy who tossed another grown man through a plate glass window WHILE being pepper sprayed.
They’ll be terrified!
It’s kind of how the Ravens won the Super Bowl right after Ray Lewis stabbed those people. I would’ve been afraid of their defense too!!
Looks like their supposedly non football staff was coaching when they should not have been. And a whopping 1 1/2 hour of extra practice time.
The “victim” in this case seemed to have about 50 lbs on Sheard (who is not small), and was covering his face as he left the municipal court bldg as if he was a defendant on his way to an arraignment.
The cop was working an off duty detail, most likely in uniform, but may have come up behind Sheard – he may not have known it was a cop, and mistakenly assumed it was one of the other brawlers. This whole incident may have been over in 4 or 5 seconds; a lot of the chatter here and elsewhere assumes this went on for several minutes, with the cop standing next to Sheard repeatedly strikintg him – I bet it wasn’t like that at all.
link to postgazette.com
The facts of the physical actions didn’t change just because the charges were lessened.
IMO Dave Wannstedt has a pretty clear mandate in this situation – and that is to look at what happened within the confine of the University’s Code of Conduct and his own football program’s rules and regulations. He shouldn’t concern himself with what the courts did or didn’t do.
If that leads him to award more disciplinary actions and punishment then so be it – if it doesn’t that is fine also as long as DW doesn’t let outside pressures influence his decision making either way.
Better watch out or they will start
calling you state pen.
Are you saying that if Sheard IS suspended we will win?
Either way – I don’t believe whether or not Sheard plays in that particular game will determine if we win or lose – at least I sure hope to Hell our team isn’t that dependent on any singular player.
Reed, how do you define “outside pressures?” If you define it as outside Dave, Steve and Mark I disagree. What is wrong with heeding the advice of others be they alumni, media, fans, etc.?
“Diffenderfer”
He should change his first name to “Captain”
DW has been tough on several starters, like Campbell, Porter, and Fields. He’s got strong control over team discipline and Sheard has never had problems before, I don’t think he needs to send any messages in this case. If it happens again, with Sheard or someone else, before the season starts his hand may be forced, but discipline doesn’t seem like a major issue for this team.
