JayVaughn Pinkston's trial to begin next month

JayVaughn Pinkston's legal ordeal is almost over.

The 6'7", 245 lb freshman at Villanova University was charged with assault back in November after an incident at an off campus house party. On May 25th, Pinkston's trial for one count of simple assault and two counts of summary harassment is scheduled to begin. The folks over at VUHoops.com have the deets:

The trial will be to on one count of simple assault and two counts of summary harassment. One charge of simple assault was dropped after a preliminary hearing in January when the alleged victims stories didn’t quite match up.

The victim in the remaining assault case reportedly suffered a concussion during the altercation. Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Reifsnyder will have to prove to a jury that Pinkston attempted to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury to another person, authorities alleged.
[...]
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail, however, it would be uncommon for a defendant without a criminal record to receive a maximum sentence.

According to Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines, an offender without a prior criminal record on simple assault charges would likely qualify for the "Restorative Sanctions" program — which focuses on "restoring the victim to pre-offense status," and allows the convicted to avoid imprisonment. That option would involve a number of fees assessed by the court as well as an assigned period of unpaid community service assignments. The judge could also choose to have Pinkston confined in lieu of community service for up to a month as a first-time offender (or up to 6 months if it is a second-offense).

It will be interesting to see what comes out of this for Pinkston.

He was a college kid that got into a fight when he was drunk. We've all done it. Its not something to be proud of, but when Jungle Juice, Natty Light, and a mixture of testosterone and adrenaline are flowing through a 19 year old's veins, sometimes a fist may fly. But not all of us are as big or as strong as Pinkston. When he throws a punch, its going to do some damage, especially if a average sized, drunk, Villanova frat boy is on the receiving end.

Athletes have to know that for as much adulation as they get around campus, there are going to be folks out there that are jealous or envious of their ability.

The good news is that this kid didn't suffer any permanent damage.

And hopefully Pinkston has learned that he can't go around punching people if he wants to remain a student at Villanova.