An Ohio University photojournalism student who originally was charged with assaulting a police horse, rioting and obstructing official business during Palmerfest accepted a plea bargain, diminishing his charges in Athens Municipal Court yesterday.
Eric Jones, 21, instead pleaded no contest to charges of obstructing official business and obstructing a police horse, according to court documents.
Jones was sentenced to 90 days in jail, but 88 were suspended on the condition that he is a law-abiding citizen. He will have to pay court costs and a $750 fine along with serving 100 hours of community service, according to a news release from Athens City Law Director Pat Lang.
According to the release, Jones was photographing the near-riot at Palmerfest when he refused police officers' orders to disperse and became combative
refusing to move and grabbing at the horse and an officer's baton.
Jones said he had lost his balance and was trying to steady himself.
The state amended the assault of a police horse charge against Jones because it was evident that he was not trying to harm the horse, according to the release.
Jones said he is relieved the case is over. The lesser charges will not cause his expulsion from OU, and they can be expunged from his record in a year, he said.
It's nice that it's over and I don't have to worry or wait to have my life rest in the hands of a couple jury members Jones said.
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Gail Burkhardt
