By Kathy Adams The Virginian-Pilot May 18, 2012 VIRGINIA BEACH A General District Court judge Thursday found former Old DominionUniversity basketball star Kent Bazemore guilty of failing tocomply with a court-ordered alcohol-safety class and gave himanother chance to complete the course without going to jail. Bazemore, whose full name is Kenneth Lumont Bazemore Jr., 22,pleaded no contest to the charge. His attorney, Peter Decker III,said Bazemore - who recently graduated from ODU and hopes to playin the NBA - is a good person who made a mistake. Bazemore pleaded guilty Aug. 30 to drunken driving after a July 23traffic stop on Shore Drive. He registered a 0.13 blood alcoholcontent, according to court records; the legal limit for driving is0.08. A judge sentenced him to four months in jail but suspended all ofthe time if he met conditions that included completing theChesapeake Bay Alcohol Safety Action Program, which includesalcohol screenings and classes. According to court records, Bazemore never registered with theprogram, and the court on Feb. 27 issued a warrant for his arrest. Police said they sent two letters to Bazemore's residence askinghim to turn himself in and then arrested him March 21 at the TedConstant Convocation Center, minutes before what would've been thefinal game of the senior guard's career. The arrest surprised Baze-more's coaches, who said they didn't knowabout his drunken-driving conviction, and angered Monarch fans. ODUlost the game to Mercer University by six points. According to testimony, the alcohol-safety program sent a letter toBazemore in September reminding him about his mandatoryparticipation but sent it to the wrong address, to a home on WestFourth Street in Norfolk instead of West 45th Street. "I'm an athlete, so there was a lot going on," Bazemoretold Judge Pamela E. Hutchens. ".. I really didn't followup." Hutchens again suspended Bazemore's 120-day jail sentence if heavoids further traffic or criminal violations for a year, payscourt costs and completes the alcohol-safety program. "You have a lot to strive for and look forward to,"Hutchens told Bazemore. "... But you do need to be responsibleabout your actions that were committed in our community, which is avery serious matter." Bazemore declined to comment after the hearing, but Decker said heand his family were satisfied with the outcome. Bazemore is a borderline NBA prospect and plans to spend the summertraining for his professional career. His agent, Austin Walton, said he doesn't think Bazemore's criminalconvictions will hurt his career as long as he completes thealcohol course this time. "I think it's something that won't hinder him," Waltonsaid. "Thankfully, we had a good outcome today. He's a great kid. Itwas an honest mistake." Kathy Adams, 757-222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Carton Flow Racking Manufacturer , Mezzanine Floor System, and more. For more , please visit Steel Mezzanine Floor today!
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