Cats' tight end Norwood reaches plea agreement

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 3, 2007 by Austin Meek

By Austin Meek

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Kansas State tight end Rashaad Norwood reached a plea agreement with Riley County prosecutors Friday, a week before his case was scheduled to go to trial.

Barry Clark, Norwood's attorney, said the senior tight end pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property, criminal trespassing and battery. In exchange, charges of obstruction of the legal process and an additional count of criminal trespassing were dropped.

Norwood received six months probation and was ordered to pay court costs, a probation fee and the cost of a sliding glass door he broke during an Aug. 19 altercation with a female acquaintance.

Clark described the agreement as firm but fair and said he believed Norwood had learned his lesson.

"Rashaad is a quiet, affable kid who made some very poor decisions," Clark said.

Norwood was arrested in the early morning hours Aug. 19 after forcing his way into a female acquaintance's residence. He was apprehended on foot, arrested and released on bail.

Norwood was arrested again hours later after police found him at the same residence.

Norwood has been suspended since the incident, and coach Ron Prince has said Norwood's status will be re-evaluated after legal process runs its course.

Prince didn't comment on Norwood's situation Friday. His Wildcats (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) will play at Iowa State (1-8, 0-5) at 11:30 a.m. today. With a victory, the Wildcats would become bowl-eligible.