FLORENCE, Wis. - An Iron Mountain man was sentenced on Tuesday to two years of probation after he pleaded no contest to charges stemming from an altercation at the C & R Bar in Aurora, Wis. on March 8.

Justin James Murphy, 26, had been charged with one felony count of substantial battery-intend bodily harm and one misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. As part of a plea agreement, the charges were reduced to misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct.

According to Florence County District Attorney Doug Drexler, Judge Leon D. Stenz gave Murphy a stayed sentence of ten months incarceration. Murphy will not have to serve jail time as long as he follows the terms of his two-year probation, which includes 250 hours of community service, no consuming alcohol, and possible additional restitution.

Deputies from the Florence County Sheriff's Department arrested Murphy on March 8 after he assaulted 50-year-old Greg Krans of Aurora, Wis., a C & R Bar employee who was trying to escort him off the premises.

Police reports at the time of the incident indicated that Krans suffered a head injury during the fight.

Drexler said that Krans' statement in court likely influenced Judge Stenz's sentencing.

Krans told Judge Stenz that the altercation occurred during Murphy's bachelor party, and that Murphy typically doesn't drink, said Drexler.

"Krans said it was out of character for Murphy to be violent, and he didn't think that jail time would be appropriate," Drexler added. "He (Krans) recommended that Murphy get community service and compensate him for lost wages."

Nikki Younk's e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.