Bourdreaux gets 10 years

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ A former Tulane football player has been sentenced to 10 years in prison stemming from a brawl outside a Bourbon Street nightclub.

A jury convicted 23-year-old Ray Boudreaux Junior last month of aggravated battery and attempted manslaughter, but acquitted him of a more serious charge of attempted second-degree murder.

Orleans Parish Criminal Judge Arthur Hunter sentenced Boudreaux Friday and also ordered an appeal bond of $200,000.

Four men were treated for stab wounds following the altercation outside the Utopia nightclub in September 2007. One of those men sustained brain damage.

Boudreaux claimed he was trying to protect himself after he was attacked in front of the club. Tulane suspended the one-time running back from the school and the team following his arrest.

A jury last month spent 6 1/2 hours deliberating before rendering a verdict of attempted manslaughter and aggravated battery. The jury acquitted Boudreaux of one charge and returned the lesser verdict of attempted manslaughter rather than the original five-count indictment for attempted murder.

It was said earlier in the week that he could face up to 60 years in prison.

His supporters have launched a “justiceforray.com” Web site and held a small rally outside Criminal District Court last Tuesday.