Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore reached a plea deal and will avoid a trial in the case surrounding his arrest for allegedly breaking into the home and threatening the woman he had an affair with.
Moore pleaded no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and one count of trespass during his court appearance on Friday, March 6, first assistant prosecuting Attorney Kati Rezmierski said.
Both are misdemeanors and new charges. The malicious use charge is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, while the trespassing charge is punishable by up to 30 days in jail a $250 fine.
The three previous charges — a felony count of home invasion and two misdemeanors — are dismissed. District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson asked Moore if he understood the charges and the nature of a no contest plea. He was originally appearing in court for an evidence hearing surrounding the charges against Moore and whether it move to a trial.
Moore arrived at court holding hands with his wife Kelli, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Afterward, Moore’s lawyer, Ellen Michaels, provided a statement the previous charges ‘were not supported by facts and law.’
‘After the court granted our motion for (Friday’s) hearing, and the omissions in the detectives affidavit were examined, those charges have been dismissed,’ Michaels said. ‘The dismissal of those charges validates the concerns we raised about the investigation from the very beginning. Mr. Moore is pleased to put this behind him and move forward.’
Moore’s sentencing is set for April 14. He faced possible prison time under the original charges, but defense lawyers unaffiliated with the case previously told the Free Press probation was the realistic outcome for the case since Moore didn’t have a previous criminal record and the nature of the original alleged offenses.
The 40-year-old was fired from Michigan on Dec. 10 after a university investigation found he had ‘intimate relationship’ with a staff member.
Less than hour before he was officially fired, the Pittsfield Township Police Department near Ann Arbor responded to an incident ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault’ at the home of the person Moore had a relationship with. Officials said Moore entered the residence through an unlocked door without permission and a verbal argument ensued that escalated. Prosecutors allege Moore ‘began to threaten his own life’ and grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors.
He left the home before authorities arrived but was later arrested and booked into jail the same night. His first initial court appearance came two days later, where he was ordered to not have any contact with the accuser.
University investigations into Moore and the culture of the athletic department are ongoing.