2 ex-university players get probation in beating case

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) Two former football players for a state university in western Pennsylvania have been sentenced to probation in an off-campus beating nearly two years ago.

D'Andre Dunkley, 20, of Philadelphia, and Shelby Wilkerson, 22, of Harrisburg, each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor simple assault charge and were sentenced to 18 months' probation, according to an order dated July 1. Other charges, including aggravated assault and conspiracy, were dropped.

''We had always thought these were the less culpable defendants, which is why we offered the plea agreement,'' Assistant District Attorney Leslie Ridge said.

The two were among six California University of Pennsylvania players charged following an October 2014 beating outside a restaurant that left Lewis Campbell, 30, in intensive care with severe brain trauma. Witnesses reported hearing the players yelling ''Football strong!'' as they fled to a car. Campbell spent eight days in Allegheny General Hospital but has since recovered.

Corey Ford, 24, pleaded no contest to aggravated assault last month and was given credit for time served in Washington County jail since November 2014. Ridge said Campbell wasn't present for the latest hearing but had agreed with the deal offered to Ford, saying he wanted to move on with his life.

Charges against James Williamson, 22, of Parkville, Maryland, were dismissed after witnesses and surveillance video indicated he hadn't participated in the attack. He filed a lawsuit a year ago against the police department and prosecutor, alleging that they hadn't had probable cause to charge him and violated his civil rights.

Cases against Jonathan Barlow, 22, of Pittsburgh, and Rodney Gillin, 21, of Reading, still are pending with plea hearings scheduled July 28.