Oregon running back LaMichael James is scheduled to appear Friday at a change-of-plea hearing on domestic violence charges.

James previously pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of menacing, strangulation and assault. A woman who says she is James’ girlfriend says he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument outside his apartment on Feb. 15.

Details about the hearing, including whether James has entered into some kind of plea agreement, were not known. James could also change his plea to no contest, which means he does not admit guilt but will not fight the charges.

Court documents show he is scheduled to appear in Lane County Circuit Court. Deputy District Attorney Patricia Perlow would not comment on the matter.

“We’re not going to talk about what he might or might not do until after the hearing on Friday,” she said.

Phone calls placed to James’ attorney, Michael Buseman, for comment were not immediately returned.

James, 20, was released from jail after his arrest but was required to wear an electronic monitoring device around his ankle.

The 22-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, sustained an abrasion in the alleged assault but did not require hospitalization.

James rushed for 1,546 yards last season as a freshman, the ninth-highest total in the nation and the most ever by a Pac-10 freshman. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon’s 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly did not take any action against James at the time of his arrest, preferring to wait until the outcome of the case.

Posted on March 11th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football