Marsteller Sentenced to Seven Years Probation
Marsteller, 21, a four-time state wrestling champion while in high school, ran afoul of the law while attending Lock Haven University last August, based on his involvement in a series of incidents at Evergreen Commons student housing and the Lock Haven Hospital emergency room.
A contrite Marsteller appeared before Judge Salisbury Monday and read a letter of apology to Lock Haven police officer Bryan Burger who had to undergo blood-borne disease tests because he received blood in his mouth and eyes while attempting to subdue Marsteller after his arrest.
The judge accepted a plea agreement proposed last month by Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse. Its terms include seven years of intense court supervision, including twice-weekly sessions with a probation officer plus drug and alcohol testing. Special conditions include a curfew, a monitoring of his use of social media and 350 hours of non-sports related community service.
As part of the plea agreement, multiple charges of aggravated assault and related offenses were reduced to misdemeanor level crimes, six counts of assault and one of open lewdness. Judge Salisbury told Marsteller he could have gotten up to 20 years in prison if not for the reduced charges. He called the agreement “a one-time deal” and said he did not want to see Marsteller before him again. The judge said it was “encouraging” that Marsteller had completed an in-patient rehabilitation program and that he had the opportunity to be back at Lock Haven University where he is again enrolled. He will not be able to return to the school’s wrestling team until January of next year.
The criminal charges stemmed from his behavior towards the five police officers involved in controlling Marsteller during his August arrest and one involving a nurse at the hospital after he was taken into custody at the Evergreen Commons student housing complex.
