Wednesday, July 7, 1999

Ordenstein gets probation

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Former New Mexico and St. Louis School football player Kawika Ordenstein was sentenced in an Albuquerque, N.M., district court yesterday to three years of probation and 200 hours of community service after pleading no contest to a charge of aggravated battery with great bodily harm against another athlete.

Ordenstein faced a possible three-year prison term.

Ordenstein was allowed to stay in the custody of his family in Honolulu since the incident more than a year ago, and even made his plea by phone. He has completed an anger management course and made $7,500 restitution, according to his attorney, Tom Clear.

Ordenstein, who was dropped from the Lobos' roster as a wide receiver after he was arrested, was accused of repeatedly slamming the head of New Mexico track sprinter James Marin against a car on April 23, 1998. The incident occurred outside the school's athletic complex. He was originally charged with attempted murder and released after two days in the Bernalillo County Detention Center after his family posted $10,000 bail.

The charge was reduced to aggravated battery last September when a grand jury indicted him.

Clear said the injuries to Marin were a broken jaw and a ruptured eardrum, resulting in partial loss of hearing.

"We're supporting James Marin and his family," said Clear. "I told that to the Marins and they just shook their heads. But Kawika is truly sorry for what he did and merits forgiveness."

Ordenstein played football and basketball at St. Louis, earning basketball all-star honors.