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Former Detroit Lions defensive back Corwin Brown has been given a 4-year suspended prison sentence for striking his wife and holding her hostage last August, reports the Associated Press.
Brown, 42, pleaded guilty and mentally ill in June to felony confinement and domestic battery charges. On Tuesday, he was granted an avoidance or prison time by St. Joseph County Judge Jane Woodward Miller after hearing from Brown's wife, Melissa, who defended Brown by saying taking her husband away from his family would be harmful.
In June, Miller sentenced Brown to consecutive two-year prison sentences --- which she suspended --- placed him on probation and ordered him to continue to undergo counseling in June.
Brown played defensive back at Michigan from 1989-92 before playing n the NFL, including two seasons (1999-2000) with the Lions. He's also a former Notre Dame assistant coach.
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