Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was found guilty of four criminal charges in Decatur, Ala., on Thursday, including assault in the third degree, reckless endangerment, menacing in the state of Alabama and wrongful discharge of a firearm, according to the Decatur Municipal Court clerk.
McClain must serve 45 days in prison for each charge, totaling 180 consecutive days. According to The Associated Press, Judge Bill Cook also fined McClain $2,000.
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McClain appealed the charges and is not currently in custody, according to the clerk. The date on which he will start his sentence is pending the outcome of the appeal.
McClain's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, told the AP that McClain is hoping to receive a jury trial in Morgan County Circuit Court.
"I wanted to put this on so we could show how ridiculous this entire situation is," Steinberg said. "It truly is. There's no basis for it. Our feeling was that we should go through it so we could put out there that Rolando did very little, if anything, wrong. He certainly didn't do anything criminal."
McClain's co-defendant pleaded guilty and testified against McClain on Thursday morning. This came after a disturbing video emerged of the incident that precipitated the charges.
The video showed McClain and Jarodiaus Willingham attacking Rishard Tapscott, the alleged victim in the case. Willingham is shown kicking and punching him.
"I hate that this took place but I'm glad about him being found guilty because it shows that I wasn't lying," Tapscott told the AP, which also reported that he is suing McClain in civil court.
It's a stunning turn of events for a player that looked like a rising star not long ago. McClain will surely be subject to NFL discipline -- league spokesman Brian McCarthy told the AP that the league will decide if further discipline is appropriate. The Raiders have stood by McClain throughout his ordeal, but clearly must make plans for his absence.
"The Raiders are well aware of the proceedings in the Alabama courts today," reads an official statement released by the team Thursday. "The team will continue to closely monitor the legal process, understanding that when appropriate the NFL will review the situation under its personal conduct policy."
Seventh-round pick Nathan Stupar and second-year player Travis Goethel looked like potential backups to McClain. The team could also look to sign a veteran or try outside linebacker Philip Wheeler in the middle. There were many low-cost middle linebackers available in free agency, but the Raiders chose not to fortify the position.
