A former UA assistant track and field coach who was convicted last month of assaulting a student athlete, pleaded guilty Monday to stalking and violating a restraining order.
Craig Carter, 50, was convicted March 30 of two counts of aggravated assault- one with a deadly weapon- in connection with a 2015 incident involving former University of Arizona thrower Baillie Gibson.
It took a jury less than three hours to convict Carter on both charges, based on evidence that included a videotaped confession by Carter, who admitted to choking Gibson while threatening her with a box cutter.
On Monday, Carter accepted an agreement with the Pima County Attorney's Office, pleading guilty to felony counts of domestic violence-related stalking and aggravated violation of a protective order.
Carter will serve three years in prison for the stalking charge and 2 ½ for violating the protective order, but the sentences will run concurrently. They will also run concurrently to the sentence Pima County Superior Court Judge Teresa Godoy will impose on May 14, in connection with the aggravated assault conviction.
Days after his conviction, Carter's attorneys filed a motion for a new trial citing several instances of prosecutorial misconduct and legal errors by the judge. As part of the plea agreement, Carter agreed to withdraw the motion.
As part of the plea, Gody can impose a $150,000 fine and Carter will be required to pay restitution to the victims in the case.
Although restitution amounts have not yet been determined, Carter will pay no more than $25,000 to Gibson and no more than $10,000 to Gibson's roommate Julie Labonté, the victim in the protective order case.
