U-M senior defensive tackle Will Campbell pleads guilty to misdemeanor, must pay $2,100

By Kyle Feldscher Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 10:48 a.m.

University of Michigan senior defensive tackle Will Campbell must pay $2,100 in restitution after admitting to sliding across the hood of a car in Ann Arbor in April.

William Campbell

Courtesy of the University of Michigan

Campbell pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of malicious destruction of property worth more than $200 but less than $1,000 in court Thursday morning. In exchange for the guilty plea, Washtenaw County prosecutors dismissed his felony charge of malicious destruction of property worth more than $1,000 but less than $20,000.

Campbell said he was walking across the 600 block of Church Street, an area filled with bars frequented by UM students, early on April 7 to meet some friends at Pizza House. He told District Court Judge Christopher Easthope he slid across the hood of a 2003 Lincoln Town Car and caused damage to the hood.

Easthope accepted the plea and agreed to sentence Campbell under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which allows people who commit a criminal offense before their 21st birthday to have the conviction erased from their criminal records if they complete probation successfully.

Easthope will sentence Campbell at 9 a.m. July 27 at the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor. Campbell has also been charged with being a minor purchasing, consuming or possessing liquor and will be in court to face that charge on July 23.

Campbell was arraigned May 31 on the vandalism charges. The 20-year-old, 6-foot-5, 322-pound defensive tackle slid across the hood of the car, causing enough damage that an officer patrolling the area as bars emptied could hear the sheet metal buckle.

Donald Payne, Campbell’s attorney, declined to comment on Thursday’s court hearing beyond explaining the plea agreement.

Campbell was having a promising offseason and seemed set to take on a leadership role as he entered his senior season after a disappointing first three years at Michigan. He has 19 career tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery for the Wolverines.

Coach Brady Hoke mentioned repeatedly throughout the offseason that Campbell was a candidate to be named one of the team’s captains for the upcoming season.

Campbell’s charges did not immediately affect his status with the football team.

Tags: Will Campbell,