Purify gets probation, fine
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By STEVEN M. SIPPLE and CLARENCE MABIN / Lincoln Journal Star
Saying he is “extremely disappointed” in himself, Maurice Purify was sentenced Wednesday to one year of probation after reaching resolution on both of his pending legal cases.
In addition to probation, a judge also ordered the suspended Nebraska wide receiver to pay fines totaling $1,250 on a DUI charge in June and three convictions stemming from a disturbance in May at a downtown Lincoln bar.
His status with the team remains uncertain.
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Lancaster County Judge James Foster imposed the penalties after the 21-year-old Purify, regarded as the Huskers’ most potent offensive weapon, pleaded no contest to charges of DUI, assault, disturbing the peace and hindering arrest, all misdemeanors.
The judge also accepted a plea deal between Purify’s attorney, Jon Braaten of Lincoln, and prosecutors that included dismissal of another assault charge and a charge of refusal to comply with a police order. The deal also included amending a trespassing charge against Purify to disturbing the peace.
Purify, in a prepared statement, apologized to family, friends, teammates and fans.
“I especially want to express my apologies to Coach (Bill) Callahan and the coaching staff because I know I let them down,” Purify said. “I am extremely disappointed in myself.”
Purify, a senior from Eureka, Calif., was suspended from the team June 8 following his arrest early that morning on suspicion of DUI.
Nebraska coach Bill Callahan has said he wouldn’t make any permanent decisions regarding Purify’s playing status until his legal issues were resolved in court. On Wednesday, Callahan declined comment. However, through a university spokesman, Callahan indicated he will address Purify’s situation in the next few days.
Said Purify: “I hope that I can be afforded a second chance to do what I love to do — play football for Nebraska. If Coach Callahan decides that I will not be able to play again, I respect his decision and am grateful for the opportunity he has given me.”
During his probation, Purify won’t be allowed to enter a bar or any other establishment that primarily sells alcohol. He also will have to attend outpatient drug and alcohol counseling.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Purify, who had 34 receptions for 630 yards and seven touchdowns last season, said both of his arrests were the result of choices that “were out of character for me. In each instance, I was under the influence of alcohol. I do not use that as an excuse, but I want to be honest.”
A Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped Purify for speeding near North First Street and Cornhusker Highway around 12:25 a.m. on June 8. The trooper, suspecting Purify had been drinking, had him perform several field sobriety tests. Purify later tested a blood-alcohol content of 0.138 percent.
On May 5, police arrested Purify following a disturbance at Alley Bar, 1031 M St. Authorities accused Purify of assaulting a patron who, while working as a doorman at another bar, had denied entrance to one of Purify’s friends.
Police said Purify pushed the man and hit him several times and then struck the man’s girlfriend when she intervened. The charge involving alleged assault against the girlfriend was dismissed.
Several people tried to restrain Purify while the man called police, and when authorities finally arrived, he resisted their attempts to handcuff him, according to reports. According to statements in court Wednesday, four officers were needed to subdue Purify.
Purify’s plea of no contest does not mean he agrees with prosecutors’ version of the facts of the cases. For purposes of sentencing, however, the plea is treated as a guilty plea.
Purify, who transferred to NU last year from San Francisco City College, has been barred by Callahan from working out with the team in this summer’s offseason program. The Huskers begin preseason camp Aug. 6 and open the season Sept. 1 in Lincoln against Nevada.
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