In a move that bodes well for Jaamal Berry‘s participation immediately in 2009, the highly-touted Ohio State signee saw his felony drug possession charge reduced to a misdemeanor, the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting.
The charges were reduced as a matter of procedure by a Florida court today, and neither Berry nor his attorney were required to be present. There is no word on what the punishment for the misdemeanor will ultimately be for the running back.
On June 11, Berry was found to have 28 grams of marijuana in his vehicle after being pulled over for running a red light in Miami-Dade County. He was subsequently charged with a felony given the amount of hippie lettuce allegedly in his possession.
Berry later admitted to authorities that the herb was his, and that he was on his way to smoke it with what one would think would be a rather large group of friends.
As noted by The Plain Dealer, an Ohio State player facing a felony is not eligible to participate in games with such a charge pending.
Given the developments in South Florida today, it’s all but a given that Berry will be right back where he was before the June incident come August: fighting for meaningful playing time this season in Ohio State’s backfield.
Provided, of course, head coach Jim Tressel doesn’t dole out his own version of justice. (Chuckle)
