THE SIDELINES : Snowball Fight Charges Dropped

PULLMAN, Wash. —  Felony assault charges against a Washington State linebacker were dropped after three witnesses testified that he was defending himself when he struck another student during a snowball fight.

Whitman County chief deputy prosecutor Ron Shirley moved to dismiss the second-degree assault charges Thursday after testimony indicated that Anthony McClanahan apparently was defending himself during the Jan. 19, 1990, snowball fight.

McClanahan, a criminal justice major, was accused of hitting Tyler Kolbo during a dormitory versus fraternity snowball fight involving 600 students.

McClanahan testified Wednesday that he hit Kolbo during the snowball fight to prevent him from using what he thought was a can of aerosol tear gas that temporarily stuns its victims.

The blow broke Kolbo’s jaw.