A plea agreement with the Dane County District Attorney's Office was reached Monday with Marcus Randle El, a sophomore wide receiver for the University of Wisconsin football team.
Randle El, 19, was placed on probation for 18 months after pleding no contest to a charge of misdemeanor battery for his alleged role in a fight last December with Nick Sutton, a former teammate.
Judge Steven D. Ebert, who later dismissed a count of misdemeanor bail-jumping, entered a guilty plea on a charge of disorderly conduct. That charge stemmed from an incident last spring involving Randle El and his girlfriend.
Randle El pled guilty June 22 to the disorderly-conduct charge and was placed in the First Offender's Program. That agreement was later revoked after his December arrest.
I think you have a problem controlling your temper,\ the judge told Randle El.
According to the conditions of his probation, Randle El will be required to take either anger- management classes or undergo domestic-violence counseling. Also, Randle El must not engage in any violent acts against his girlfriend and cannot have any contact with Sutton.
Brian Asmus, an assistant district attorney, did not object to Randle El's probation being shortened to 12 months, provided he adheres to the provisions of the plea agreement.
However, the judge ruled Randle El would remain on probation for 18 months and stayed a jail sentence of six months.
Randle El initially denied any involvement in the fight with Sutton but eventually told police the two argued after Randle El accused Sutton of stealing $300.
""I don't believe the story about the theft,"" the judge told Randle El. ""You don't have any credibility with me.""
Randle EL is expected to compete for the vacant position at wide receiver left by the Brandon Williams and Jonathan Orr who are both preparing for the NFL Draft later this month. Randle El's chances of earing a starting spot increased this week when sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Minton suffured an undiclosed injury and will miss the rest of spring practice according to head coach Bret Bielema.
—The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
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