Tre'Von Willis Suspended For Two Exhibition Games And Season Opener For Domestic Battery Charge

UNLV guard Tre'Von Willis was arrested back in July on felony domestic battery chargers for allegedly strangling, felony grand larceny, and misdemeanor coercion; all were toward his off and on girlfriend.  Today, his punishment came down, and Willis got off pretty easy.  The original charge was a felony, but the eventual charges were drastically reduced:

Willis plead no contest to a reduced charge misdemeanor domestic battery and agreed to pay a $340 fine, perform 100 hours of community service, and attend counseling sessions. Then Tuesday, he held an apologetic press conference and UNLV announced it would suspend him for just two exhibition games and the season opener against UC Riverside as long as Willis' behavior meets the school's expectations.

The penalty is fairly light for the alleged charges, and it ensures that Willis will be in the lineup for the big match-up against Wisconsin on November 20th.  That game could go a long way in helping the Rebels gain a NCAA tournament berth.  

Part of the reason the penalty was reduced, because the case was mostly a he-said-she said in regards to the details. UNLV head coach Lon Kruger said that Willis will be closely monitored for the next two months, and Kruger implied that Willis' suspension could be extended if he does not behave.

UNLV guard Tre'Von Willis was arrested last month on the accounts that he beat up his girlfriend Skye Sanders because she was sending text messages to friends and not paying attention to Willis.  Last week an arraignment hearing took place without the presence of Willis, but his lawyer Steve Wolfson believes that when the facts will come out Willis will be exonerated:

"The police did a preliminary investigation and that is what is the basis of the charges," Wolfson said. "We're doing our own investigation and I'm confident that when all the facts and the truth comes out, that Tre'Von will play basketball this year for UNLV, have a great year, perhaps be the leading scorer again and have a great future."

Willis has said that he only had a verbal altercation with Sanders, but that he did not become physical with her.  Willis also plead not guilty to these charges.  This could be tricky with the November 22nd court date, as the Rebels openr their season on November 12th.

Tre'Von Willis was released from jail one day after he was arrested on felony domestic battery by strangulation, felony grand larceny, and misdemeanor coercion for an incident involving his 28 year old girlfriend.  Willis was able to come up with the $18,637 needed to be released on bail.  First off, where does a college student come up with that type of cash besides from his parents?  Just a thought.

More details emerging of what allegedly went down on June 29th:

Skye Sanders told police Willis said he was going out, and she replied she also was going out. Willis then overturned Sanders' purse, dumping its contents while looking for her keys. Sanders laughed at Willis because her keys were not in her purse. That's when Willis got physical with Sanders for the first time during their relationship.

"Willis had his thumbs in the center of her throat with his fingers wrapping around the sides of her neck," the report stated. "Sanders stated that while Willis was choking her, Willis kept saying to her, 'Say you're sorry.' "

Sanders told police she was barely able to say she couldn't breathe while Willis had his hands around her throat.

All this was over Sanders text messaging some friends and not paying attention to her boyfriend Willis.  Looks like there are some trust or jealousy issues going on in that relationship.  Willis is expected to be back at court in one month. UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood and head coach Lon Kruger are not rushing to any judgements, and will wait for the legal process to play itself out.