By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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The matter has put Jeremy Hill’s 2013 season in doubt because LSU’s leading rusher last season is already on probation stemming from his January 2012 plea of misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

NEW ORLEANS — LSU running back Jeremy Hill and another man were formally charged in Baton Rouge on Monday with misdemeanor simple battery in connection with a late-April scuffle in a bar parking lot.

Hill and Robert Bayardo, who is not an LSU student, will be arraigned on Friday, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said.

The matter has put Hill’s 2013 season in doubt because LSU’s leading rusher last season is already on probation stemming from his January 2012 plea of misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Hill’s probationary status likely will not be reviewed by the court for possible revocation until the charges have been resolved, Moore said. State District Judge Bonnie Jackson in Baton Rouge already has placed more restrictive conditions on Hills’ probation since his April 27 arrest, including a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew and a ban from bars.

LSU coach Les Miles has suspended Hill pending the outcome of the case. On Monday, LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette said he did not expect Miles or the university to have any further comment.

“We’re letting the legal system run its course,” Bonnette said.

Hill’s attorney, Marci Blaize, would not comment on the case Monday, but said she may talk more about the case after Hill’s next appearance in court.

Police have said evidence includes a mobile phone video which shows Hill throwing a punch to the side of the head of the victim. The video also shows Hill’s target being knocked out seconds later by Bayardo, who was initially booked with felony second-degree battery.

Blaize has portrayed Hill as being provoked, asserting that the video, which she has reviewed but which is not public record at this time, does not capture interaction between Hill and others which led to the exchange of blows. Blaize also has said Hill was heckled about several things, including his previous arrest stemming from a sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old girl at his high school, when Hill was 18.

Hill’s plea in that matter resulted in a six-month suspended sentence and two years’ probation, allowing him to enroll at LSU and play football last season.

The 20-year-old rushed for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012, his freshman season. Hill got increased playing time after season-opening starter Alfred Blue went out with a season-ending knee injury in LSU’s third game.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press