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August 28, 2010

Blatnick pleads guilty to reduced charge

By JEFF LATZKE

Associated Press

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State defensive end Jamie Blatnick pleaded guilty Friday to an assault and battery charge that was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Payne County District Attorney Rob Hudson said he filed for the charges to be reduced Friday after being approached by former Oklahoma State offensive lineman Steve Denning, who was struck with a beer bottle by Blatnick at a Stillwater bar on July 31.

Hudson said Denning asked that prosecutors not pursue a felony charge against Blatnick and told a judge the same during a court hearing Friday afternoon. That fact, along with Blatnick agreeing to plead guilty and being a first-time offender, convinced Hudson that reducing the charge was the right thing to do.

Coach Mike Gundy had said Blatnick would not play for the Cowboys as long as he was accused of a felony.

"It would probably be hard to get a felony conviction (from a jury) when the victim doesn't want that," Hudson said.

Blatnick was sentenced to one year of probation and 30 hours of community service to be performed within the next six months. He must also complete an anger resolution class and pay a series of fines in addition to Denning's medical bills.

"I think the punishment fits the crime in this case," Hudson said.

Blatnick started nine games for Oklahoma State last season and is one of only three defensive starters returning from that squad heading into the Sept. 4 season opener against Washington State. Spokesman Kevin Klintworth said he did not expect Gundy to comment on Blatnick's status.

Blatnick has already been punished by being held out of practice and forced to climb a stair-stepping machine along with safety Victor Johnson, who faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana possession from separate arrests this summer. He has pleaded not guilty.

Blatnick was arrested after police were called to a Stillwater bar to find that Denning had been hit in the face with a beer bottle and suffered a broken orbital socket around his eye. Denning started 23 straight games at guard for the Cowboys, finishing his career in 2008.

Blatnick had faced a felony count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer before both were dismissed Friday. Denning still faces a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer. He has pleaded not guilty.

Hudson said that while the two now characterized it as a fight between friends, he didn't consider dismissing the charges against Blatnick entirely because police had to be called into the situation.

"He's still going to be held accountable by having to plead to a misdemeanor," Hudson said.

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