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Robinson Gets Jail Time For Probation Violation

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Robinson Gets Jail Time For Probation Violation

Kirkland, Wash. (AP) ― Green Bay Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson pulled his ponytailed, braided hair off his neck and over the collar of his light-gray suit. The former Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks player had already waited two hours for the judge to hear his case, while a parade of others were being sentenced in Courtroom 1 for assault, burglary and violating no-contact orders.

"Oh, Koren Robinson," a fellow, 30-something defendant and apparent Seahawks fan said from the back of the courtroom, when he learned Robinson was in the building on Wednesday afternoon.

"Dropped too many passes."

If only that were Robinson's biggest problem now.

Robinson was sentenced Wednesday to 90 days in jail for violating probation in a Kirkland drunken driving case. The sentence allows Robinson to finish this season before having to serve the time.

Robinson appeared in Municipal Court in this Seattle suburb that is home to the headquarters of his original NFL team, the Seahawks. It was the same court in which he pleaded guilty last year to drunken driving.

At the time, Robinson was given a five-year sentence that was suspended on condition he not drink or have any other law violations.

The Seahawks then released their former first-round draft pick, and he later spent 28 days in a treatment facility for alcohol abuse. Since then, Seattle coach Mike Holmgren has said he feels he failed in his attempts to connect with and help Robinson.

The Minnesota Vikings signed him last season. But Robinson was charged with drunken driving again in August after he was stopped for speeding in Minnesota near the Vikings' training camp. He was given a court date of Oct. 17 on that charge. He was released by the Vikings after that incident, and picked up by Green Bay last month.

Robinson was silent throughout the 10-minute hearing Wednesday. His attorney, John Fox, acknowledged only that Robinson failed to report his change of address, his change of employment status and other requirements to the probation office.

Judge Robert McSeveney, a visiting judge from nearby Kent, sentenced Robinson to 90 days, and said he could spend half of it on work-release.

"I had a chance to review Mr. Robinson's file. There are certainly numerous violations," McSeveney said. "Given Mr. Robinson's record ... 90 days in jail would be appropriate."

Robinson must begin serving his sentence by next March 1, when another court hearing is scheduled in Kirkland.

"The real question is whether this case should be continued," McSeveney said. "Certainly you have other issues going on in other states."

"I know Mr. Robinson intends to comply," Fox said.

"You are not in a position not to comply," McSeveney replied, addressing Robinson. "I would make it real clear to you that there is no waffle in that."

Robinson declined comment after the hearing. Fox said "We won't be having any comment. Thank you," as he, Robinson and two others walked out of the court building.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he hoped Robinson would return to practice on Thursday.

Speaking before Robinson's sentence was handed out, McCarthy said he expected Robinson to be available for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams but wasn't sure about his long-term future.

"I don't have any information as far as a decision that's to be made," McCarthy said. "We'll know more when he gets back."

The 26-year-old Robinson's history with the league includes a four-game suspension in 2004 for a second violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy while playing for Seattle. He may be subject to league suspense because of the August arrest in Minnesota.

Given a second chance with the Vikings, Robinson was invited to the Pro Bowl last season for the first time as a kickoff returner. The Vikings then signed him in March to a three-year contract worth up to $12.7 million that included $5.5 million in guaranteed money.

There's at least one man in Kirkland who is still hoping Robinson someday makes a more uplifting return to his former city of employment.

"When he was with us, I rooted for him. I tried to help him. I felt I kind of failed the kid somehow," Holmgren said in August, after Robinson's drunken driving arrest. "He's got to get a grip on this before something bad happens."

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)