Lewan makes plea deal in Michigan assault case

ED WHITE
Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Tennessee Titans rookie Taylor Lewan pleaded guilty Thursday to being drunk and disorderly in a plea deal that will put him on probation for a confrontation last year involving an Ohio State fan.

Lewan, a former Michigan offensive tackle, was accused of hitting the fan outside a bar, hours after the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last season, 42-41. He was originally charged with aggravated assault and assault and battery against two people.

Lewan, 23, instead pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and agreed to pay $1,714 in restitution, mostly medical bills. He said his brother was involved in a “confrontation” and he joined the angry crowd.

“I had been drinking. I was intoxicated,” Lewan told the judge.

Assistant prosecutor Brenda Taylor identified the victim who is owed money as Ryan Munsch. She said he wants to speak when Lewan returns to court for sentencing on Dec. 15.

Lewan and his lawyer, John Shea, declined to comment after the hearing.

The 6-foot-7 lineman has started the past three games for the Titans, who have a bye week this weekend. The team declined to comment.

Lewan initially told police that he was only separating people but later acknowledged he “could have pushed someone,” according to a police report about the Dec. 1 incident.

“He knocked the guy to the ground and he punched him,” a witness, Alexandra Dileo, told police, according to the report.

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Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwhiteap

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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