Campbell Sentenced.

Written Saturday May 31st, at 6:05 PM

Detroit Cass Tech took a huge hit as their starting quarterback Jayru Campbell got sentenced to 60 days in jail, 15 months probation, required to take anger management classes, and 75 hours of community service as part of a plea deal he got last month under the Michigan Homestead Act of 1969.

Campbell was allowed to go back into Detroit Cass Tech last month as well and before the jail sentence he is scheduled to take summer classes before going to jail. He is to report to the Wayne County jail but he will not be with the general population on July 28^th.

He could have gotten ten years in prison if convicted under Michigan Public Act 451 but instead after he does his time he will have a clean record.

Campbell was caught on videotape body slamming a security officer in January after school while at Detroit Cass Tech.

He committed to Michigan State to play football next season but that question remains unclear if that scholarship will be available to him.

Campbell was originally suspended for Detroit Cass Tech’s first game against Oak Park after he punched a Novi Detroit Catholic Central player after a 28-0 loss to the Shamrocks in the Division One State Semifinals at Troy Athens in November. Campbell was suspended three school days and one football game which was Oak Park.

Campbell’s sentence could be lowered to 52 days because of good behavior and has already served three days while in jail. He could miss four games into the season and also Campbell must be readmitted into school by September 26^th, his release date is September 22^nd. If he doesn’t readmit into school then he will be ineligible for the fall and winter seasons.

Thoughts:

When I look at this punishment, the 60 days in jail is interesting here because it would cost Campbell half of his football season. I think he got out light but jail is jail. If anyone else did what he did then the punishment would be more severe than here.

I thought Wayne County gave Campbell a slap on the wrist but it is what it is when you look at the law and that if you have a record then you won’t be able to play. He is very sincere and knew he made a mistake but we’ll see what happens. Also we don’t know what other punishment Detroit Public Schools will do to Campbell hearing about this punishment even though it will be off the record.

Detroit Cass Tech must prepare for the season without Campbell. They do have a very good running back in Mike Weber, a good backup in Rodney Hall who will be a sophomore, a good team, and Thomas Wilcher is a very good football coach but questions will remain especially with the schedule, the Technicians will have to play besides Oak Park, Detroit Martin Luther King and Detroit East English Village Prep in the Detroit Public School League. Even if Campbell does come back to the team he will certainly be a distraction to the team and especially if they have to play suburban teams and also his conditioning will be off as well especially having to serve time away from teammates.

July 28^th will be an interesting day for Campbell. Jail changes people’s lives and also how they look at life. Also when he gets out a new beginning will begin for Campbell as well.