Robert Barber found not guilty of assault in July brawl

Nearly a year after a brawl off-campus landed former Washington State defensive lineman Robert Barber in hot water with the school and eventually the law, a jury returns their verdict. The Daily Evergreen reports a Whitman County jury found Barber not guilty on a second-degree assault charge in court today. The jury also had the option of finding him guilty of fourth degree assault, a count they also found Barber not guilty of.

Prosecutors decided in February to charge Barber with second-degree assault, nearly seven months after the alleged incident took place at an off-campus party.

Barber’s exoneration at trial follows a lengthy and very public battle with the school following his expulsion by the Student Conduct Board for his connection to the case. A Whitman County judge decided to stay Barber’s expulsion in November.

T.J. Fehoko, who was also reportedly involved in the brawl, was not charged but is no longer with the team. Another student faced a misdemeanor charge as a result but no word on whether their case has been resolved.

UPDATE: Head coach Mike Leach has commented on Barber’s exoneration.