- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,171,417
- Reaction score
- 59
In a stunning shift, ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and prosecutors agreed to a plea deal instead of moving forward with critical hearing, a move that avoids a trial and testimony from the woman who said he barged into her apartment after she ended their two-year affair.
Moore agreed to plead no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and one count of trespass, said First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kati Rezmierski. Both are misdemeanors and new charges formally brought on Friday, March 6 during a hearing before 14A District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson.
The three previous charges − including third-degree felony home invasion − are now dismissed.
Moore spoke briefly during the short hearing. Simpson asked Moore if he understood the charges and the nature of a no contest plea. As Simpson noted, for sentencing purposes the court treats a "no contest" plea just as it would a "guilty" plea.
The basis for the no context plea is civil liability, said Moore's lawyer, Ellen Michaels. She's referencing the possibility of a civil lawsuit.
Sentencing is set for April 14, 2026.
Despite the possibility of prison time under the original charges, defense lawyers unaffiliated with the case previously told the Free Press probation is a realistic outcome for the case, given Moore had no previous criminal record and the nature of the original alleged offenses.
“He’s not going to go to prison, his guidelines are probationable,” said Todd Flood, managing partner at Flood Law PLLC and a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor, when asked about the case last year.
Simpson thanked lawyers from both sides before the hearing.
Moore arrived at court holding hands with his wife Kelli and walking along with Ellen Michaels, his lawyer. Kelli Moore sat in the first row of benches behind Moore during the proceeding.
The former coach was supposed to attend court for an evidence hearing, where his lawyers planned to argue police used inaccurate and misleading information to secure the charges against Moore.
But Michaels and prosecutors met with Simpson behind closed doors for more than two hours before emerging to reveal details of the deal.
Ahead of Friday's hearing, Michaels repeatedly said her client was innocent and the truth would come out in court.
Moore, 40, was fired from his coaching job in December after university leaders determined he engaged in a longstanding inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant and then lied when asked about it.
The same day of his firing, Moore went to the apartment of the woman with whom he had the affair. She told police he barged in, grabbed two butter knives and backed her into a corner. While she did not say he touched her, she told police and prosecutors she was terrified.
The Free Press generally does not identify people described as domestic crime victims without their consent.
Police arrested Moore shortly after he left the department. After a mental health evaluation and two nights in jail, prosecutors charged him with three offenses:
University investigations into both Moore and the culture of the athletic department are ongoing. U-M hired the law firm of Jenner & Block to lead the inquiry: earlier this year, university invoices showed they had paid the company roughly $2 million. The amount is expected to increase.
This week, the university confirmed Moore's former executive assistant no longer works for the university.
Moore is the subject of additional scrutiny.
In an entirely separate matter, a different woman says LaTroy Lewis, a former U-M assistant football coach who worked for Moore, sexually assaulted her.
According to a media report on social media, the woman allegedly told Moore about the assault. Moore allegedly did not report what the victim told him to the proper channels.
Michaels denied the allegation.
"Sherrone Moore did not fail to report misconduct, did not reward wrongdoing, and did not harass anyone," Michaels said in a recent statement. "These claims are false."
A lawyer for Lewis also said her client is innocent. Ann Arbor police confirmed they are investigating.
This is a developing story. Check www.freep.com for updates as they become available.
Reach Dave Boucher at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sherrone Moore, prosecutors reach plea deal in criminal case
Continue reading...
Moore agreed to plead no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and one count of trespass, said First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kati Rezmierski. Both are misdemeanors and new charges formally brought on Friday, March 6 during a hearing before 14A District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson.
The three previous charges − including third-degree felony home invasion − are now dismissed.
Moore spoke briefly during the short hearing. Simpson asked Moore if he understood the charges and the nature of a no contest plea. As Simpson noted, for sentencing purposes the court treats a "no contest" plea just as it would a "guilty" plea.
The basis for the no context plea is civil liability, said Moore's lawyer, Ellen Michaels. She's referencing the possibility of a civil lawsuit.
You must be registered for see images attach
Sentencing is set for April 14, 2026.
Despite the possibility of prison time under the original charges, defense lawyers unaffiliated with the case previously told the Free Press probation is a realistic outcome for the case, given Moore had no previous criminal record and the nature of the original alleged offenses.
“He’s not going to go to prison, his guidelines are probationable,” said Todd Flood, managing partner at Flood Law PLLC and a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor, when asked about the case last year.
Simpson thanked lawyers from both sides before the hearing.
Moore arrived at court holding hands with his wife Kelli and walking along with Ellen Michaels, his lawyer. Kelli Moore sat in the first row of benches behind Moore during the proceeding.
The former coach was supposed to attend court for an evidence hearing, where his lawyers planned to argue police used inaccurate and misleading information to secure the charges against Moore.
But Michaels and prosecutors met with Simpson behind closed doors for more than two hours before emerging to reveal details of the deal.
Ahead of Friday's hearing, Michaels repeatedly said her client was innocent and the truth would come out in court.
Moore, 40, was fired from his coaching job in December after university leaders determined he engaged in a longstanding inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant and then lied when asked about it.
The same day of his firing, Moore went to the apartment of the woman with whom he had the affair. She told police he barged in, grabbed two butter knives and backed her into a corner. While she did not say he touched her, she told police and prosecutors she was terrified.
The Free Press generally does not identify people described as domestic crime victims without their consent.
Police arrested Moore shortly after he left the department. After a mental health evaluation and two nights in jail, prosecutors charged him with three offenses:
- One count of third-degree felony home invasion. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
- One misdemeanor count of stalking related to a domestic relationship. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison, a $1,000 fine and 5 years probation.
- One misdemeanor count of breaking and entering-illegal entry without owner's permission. The charge count comes with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.
University investigations into both Moore and the culture of the athletic department are ongoing. U-M hired the law firm of Jenner & Block to lead the inquiry: earlier this year, university invoices showed they had paid the company roughly $2 million. The amount is expected to increase.
This week, the university confirmed Moore's former executive assistant no longer works for the university.
Moore is the subject of additional scrutiny.
In an entirely separate matter, a different woman says LaTroy Lewis, a former U-M assistant football coach who worked for Moore, sexually assaulted her.
According to a media report on social media, the woman allegedly told Moore about the assault. Moore allegedly did not report what the victim told him to the proper channels.
Michaels denied the allegation.
"Sherrone Moore did not fail to report misconduct, did not reward wrongdoing, and did not harass anyone," Michaels said in a recent statement. "These claims are false."
A lawyer for Lewis also said her client is innocent. Ann Arbor police confirmed they are investigating.
This is a developing story. Check www.freep.com for updates as they become available.
Reach Dave Boucher at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sherrone Moore, prosecutors reach plea deal in criminal case
Continue reading...
