Mizzou’s ” Muscle” Prof Cuts Deal with Prosecutor

(AP) – The suspended University of Missouri assistant professor who was charged with assault linked to a November run-in with two student journalists during campus protests reached a deal Friday with prosecutors, getting community service but no jail time or fines if she stays out of trouble for a year.

Columbia city prosecutor Steve Richey said he decided to forego pursuing the misdemeanor assault case against assistant communications professor Melissa Click, whom he said has pledged no further illegal behavior for a year and to complete 20 hours of community service.

If Click fails to comply, “prosecution of the case will resume at that point,” Richey said in a statement, adding that he believes “this disposition to be appropriate.” Click was charged Monday and could have faced up to 15 days in jail, if convicted.

Click, who is seeking tenure with the university, did not respond to an email seeking comment Friday. Her university voicemail was full, and her home number was disconnected.

The university system’s governing board of curators suspended Click on Wednesday and ordered an investigation by its general counsel to determine whether additional discipline “is appropriate,” board chairwoman Pam Henrickson said in a statement.