Tony Farmer, 18-year-old star basketball star, collapsed in the court as a judge read out his sentence before a court on Wednesday. The college recruit player was charged with three years for kidnapping his then girlfriend Andrea Lane.
Jude Pamela Barker went on to add two years for robbery and two years for assault. The Ohio player shocked fell down and collapsed before the court, thinking he was being charged with a total of seven years in prison.
His lawyer, Joe Dubyak, picked him up and is heard telling consoling his client telling him "Tony, come on Tony...It's not as bad as you think it is," as reported by the New York Daily News.
Judge Barker interrupted, "I am not done yet," she said according NY Daily. Only after a few moments did Tony realize that he will only have to face three years in prison and that the remainder of his sentence would be merely concurrently served. In addition, Farmer also got probation, but can apply for release after serving a term of 180 days.
Sonny Johnson, Farmer's coach told ABC reporters I'm here to say with my heart, that this young man, if you give him an opportunity, in five years from now, he's gonna make you proud. I know it. I know him," according to ABC News.
Farmer's ex-girlfriend Lane said that although what he did was horrible, she does not think he should serve a prison sentence.
According to reports April, Farmer and Lane got into a fight which resulted in Farmer pulling Lane outside her apartment building by her hair. He then pushed her into a corner after which he took her cell-phone, keys and bank card. The young student was indicted in May.
Farmer was studying at Garfield Heights and was considered one of the country's top 100 recruits. According to Yahoo Sports the NCAA Division I powers, including Michigan State, Illinois and Xavier, were looking to recruit him.
Watch the video of Farmer collapsing here.
