Virginia Tech tailback Michael Holmes was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery on Thursday, a reduced charge. He was originally charged with malicious wounding after a downtown fight in Blacksburg in April.
Holmes was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence and a fine of $13,403. If he fails to pay the fine within one year, he will have to serve some or all of his jail sentence. He has been indefinitely suspended from Tech's football team since his arrest.
However, Holmes' future in Blacksburg remains in doubt. Since his felony charge was reduced to misdemeanor assault and battery, he is eligible for reinstatement by athletic director Jim Weaver. As of now, Weaver has not announced a decision.
Holmes was in a position to earn playing time at tailback this year, along with Trey Edmunds, J.C. Coleman, and potentially Tony Gregory.