Washburn Given a Sentence of 46 Hours in Jail

RALEIGH —  North Carolina State basketball player Chris Washburn was sentenced Monday to 46 hours in jail after he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges stemming from the theft of stereo equipment last December.

Superior Court Judge Milton Reid sentenced Washburn to a jail term which would coincide with the anniversary of the theft. Attorney Daniel Blue, who also represented Washburn, said the term will begin on 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, and will end on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. Those times represent the hours during which the stereo was reported missing.

Washburn’s plea came as a grand jury was to consider indicting the 6-foot-11 center-forward on a second-degree burglary charge for the theft of a stereo from the room of two football players at the College Inn, an athlete’s dormitory..

Reid also gave Washburn, 19, a suspended six-year sentence and placed him on probation for five years.

“I myself have no comment at this time. It is a university matter right now,” North Carolina State Coach Jim Valvano said. “It would be inappropriate for me to make any comments at this time. When the timing is appropriate, we certainly will do so. Maybe next week but not tonight.”