Syracuse football players Marquis Spruill and Steve Rene appeared in city court Monday regarding an incident with Syracuse police last December.

Spruill handed the judge a letter of apology and pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment. He was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. As a part of his plea agreement, a charge of disorderly conduct was dismissed, according to a March 18 article published by The Post-Standard.

When the football players last appeared in court at the end of January, Spruill was undergoing counseling and the case was dismissed until a later date, when his progress would be assessed.

On Monday, Rene provided documentation saying he had completed 40 hours of community service. His case was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, which means his charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for six months, according to The Post-Standard.

Rene completed his 40 hours of community service at Canarsie High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., and previously presented a letter of apology to the judge.

Chris Burke of Syracuse University legal services represented both players.

Both players were arrested in the early morning on Dec. 2. Rene was in the middle of Euclid Avenue yelling obscenities at pedestrians and police officers. An officer escorted Rene to the side of the street and spoke to him, but Rene returned to the street.

The officer attempted to handcuff Rene, but Spruill tried to pull the officer away. Both Spruill and Rene were placed into the back of a police car. While police questioned Rene, Spruill kicked open the door of the police car.

Both players spent the night in jail.

Spruill was fourth on the team in tackles in 2012 with 62. Former Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone held Spruill out of the first half of the Pinstripe Bowl as punishment.

Rene will miss a portion of the first game he plays next season, Marrone said in a statement in December. Rene missed the final six games this past season after suffering an upper-body injury that required surgery. Before the injury, Rene returned nine kicks for 193 yards and five punts for eight yards.

Published on March 18, 2013 at 11:45 pm

Contact Jessica: jliannet@syr.edu | @JessicaIannetta