Clipper Pick Edwards Gets Suspended Sentence

Clipper draft pick Jay Edwards pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of battery in connection with an incident at Indiana University last spring.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to a one-year suspended sentence.

Kenneth Todd, Monroe County judge, ordered Edwards to pay court costs and $70 to cover the medical bills of Beth Ann Irish, 20, of Indianapolis.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Edwards said as he left the courthouse.

Irish told Bloomington police that Edwards slapped her twice and punched her at a party held on the Bloomington campus.

Irish said Edwards had insulted her and then hit her when she demanded an apology.

Edwards, picked in the second round of the National Basketball Assn. draft by the Clippers, had faced up to 18 months in jail and a $6,000 fine on the two misdemeanor counts.

Edwards’ college career was plagued by academic and disciplinary problems under Coach Bob Knight, who suspended the guard from the team once and later revoked his athletic scholarship.