Michigan DL Smith pleads guilty to lower charge

Michigan protective lineman Mazi Smith pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor weapons ownership charge originating from an Oct. 7 traffic stop and arrest in Ann Arbor, Michigan.Smith, 21, went into the plea as part of an arrangement to have his felony weapons charge dropped. An Ann Arbor policeman stopped Smith for speeding on Oct. 7 and discovered his Glock 19 weapon with three crammed publications of bullets. Smith owns the gun legally and had registered the weapon, but did not have a hidden handgun license required to bring it in his vehicle.He was arrested and launched the same day, pending evaluation for possible charges by the Washtenaw County district attorneys ‘office.Defense lawyer John Shea stated Smith was looking for a concealed-weapon authorization at the time of the traffic stop and has one now.Sentencing for Smith is set for Dec. 29, two days before No. 2 Michigan will face No. 3 TCU in the CFP semifinal at the Vrbo Feast Bowl.Smith, a team captain who

has actually appeared in all of Michigan’s games since the traffic stop and arrest, has had”no change”to his status, a group spokesperson verified to ESPN.

After Smith was charged Dec. 1, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel and coach Jim Harbaugh released statements supporting Smith.” He is not and never has actually been thought about a danger to the university or neighborhood, “Manuel’s declaration checked out.”Based on the info interacted to us, we will continue to enable the judicial procedure to

play out. Mazi will continue to take part as a member of the team.”Smith has 45 tackles this season, 2.5 for loss, while beginning all 13 games at nose tackle.According to the Detroit Free Press, Smith’s sentencing likely will fall under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which enables young adults to avoid having charges on their criminal record if they meet specific conditions.The Associated Press added to this report.