Michigan State’s Skiles Has a Setback in Court Bid to Avoid a Jail Term

An attorney for Michigan State basketball star Scott Skiles said Wednesday that he will continue negotiations with prosecutors in an effort to avoid a possible jail term for the Big Ten player.

Marshall Circuit Court Judge Michael D. Cook earlier Wednesday rejected without comment Skiles’ motion to dismiss a prosecution effort to revoke his probation on a drug conviction.

The ruling clears the way for a Feb. 21 court hearing at which prosecutors will attempt to show Skiles violated probation by drinking and driving.

If the judge agrees, the 6-foot 1-inch senior guard could be ordered to serve a one-year jail term.

Skiles’ one-year probationary period and a one-year suspended jail term were imposed by Cook last April after Skiles pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.

Prosecutors filed to revoke probation after Skiles was arrested Nov. 7 in Michigan on a drunk-driving charge. Skiles has pleaded innocent to the charge.