Leroy Hill resolves domestic violence charge

Not long into a term of probation issued after Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, Hill was charged with domestic violence.

With a trial on the new charge approaching, Hill has resolved the case.

According to Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times, Hill has entered into a “stipulated order of continuance,” which will result in the charges being dismissed if he stays out of trouble for the next 18 months, and if he completes a one-year state-certified domestic violence treatment program.  If Hill doesn’t stay out of trouble, he will be deemed guilty of fourth-degree assault.

The case had gone wobbly after the alleged victim stopped cooperating with police.  Eventually, a “material witness warrant” was issued, which prompted her to turn herself in for the purposes of assisting the prosecution.

Though the term that has been concocted to characterize the resolution of the case — “stipulated order of continuance” — possibly is aimed at helping Hill avoid punishment under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy, the NFL surely won’t fall for the ruse.  The resolution most likely will be viewed as an incident under the policy, which will set Hill up for further punishment.

Hill already has been suspended for one game and fined in the amount of another game check for his marijuana possession guilty plea.  Though that penalty was imposed under the Substance Abuse Policy, it most likely constitutes an aggravating factor this time around, which could result in a stiffer suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy.