Duke Athlete Convicted of Assault in Prior Case

A Duke University lacrosse player was convicted Tuesday of assaulting a man on a Georgetown sidewalk last fall after taunting him with anti-gay epithets.

Collin Finnerty, 19, who is one of three Duke lacrosse players indicted on charges of raping a North Carolina woman, did not testify during his two-day trial.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge John H. Bayly handed the verdict down Tuesday afternoon. Finnerty had waived his right to a jury trial.

Bayly sentenced Finnerty to 30 days in jail, which he suspended in favor of six months’ probation and a $500 fine.

While on probation, Bayly said, Finnerty must abstain from alcohol and stay away from Georgetown, but the judge declined to make him attend anger management class.

Finnerty did not speak on his behalf during the sentencing phase. His only utterance was “Yes, your honor,” when asked if he understood he had a right to file an appeal.

Bayly said that among the many “conflicting accounts” of what transpired in the early hours of Nov. 5, the “clearest account” was given by Jeffery Bloxsom, who was attacked by Finnerty.

Bloxsom testified that he was fearful of Finnerty, who he said kept throwing punches at him and asked if he would perform a sex act.

Finnerty’s lawyer, Steve McCool, said he was disappointed with the judge’s ruling but thought the sentence was “very fair and lenient.” He said he intended to file an appeal on Finnerty’s behalf.

After his arrest last year, Finnerty was offered the same plea deal as his two co-defendants that would have sentenced him to community service. But that offer was rescinded after Finnerty was indicted in March on rape charges in Durham, N.C.

Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and David Evans are charged with raping a woman at a March 13 team party where she was hired to perform as an exotic dancer. All three have said they are innocent.