NORTHAMPTON - A high-profile criminal case against former University of Massachusetts student Jason Vassell came to a close Friday when a judge placed him on pretrial probation.

Vassell, 26, of Boston, was accused of stabbing two men in the lobby of his University of Massachusetts dormitory Feb. 3, 2008. Jonathan Bosse of Milton and John Bowes of New Hampshire suffered multiple stab wounds.

Pretrial probation essentially means Vassell will have no criminal record providing he stays out of trouble for the duration of the probation term, which ends in two months. The case was settled today before Hampshire Superior Court Judge Judd Carhart.

Vassell had been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a pocket knife, charges which could have brought him a sentence of up to 30 year in prison.

Vassell had maintained his innocence since his arrest more that two years ago, with his defense team and supporters claiming Vassell, who is black, had acted in self-defense against two white aggressors.

Bowes was also charged after the melee. He was placed on probation last year after a jury found him guilty of disorderly conduct. Bosse was never charged.

See more details in Saturday's Gazette, in print and online.