Some here seem to think this means the fix is in. Seems like a win if you read past the headline. If a prosecutor can get a plea deal, in this case a guilty plea to a lesser charge, much time/money is saved for other prosecutions. The guy got three years probation. He will probably have mandatory and expensive anger management classes and community service, as well as being closely monitored by a probation officer, who with any misstep, could put him right back in front of a judge. This may not seem harsh enough for some, but it is how the system works, and at least it worked.
One might get more for a DUI and failure to appear.
As someone who has been through the system, I’m with ya. He only got a misdemeanor, though, which does concern me.