Authorities in Auburn Hills, Mich., confirmed yesterday that they intend to file charges against members of the Indiana Pacers -- as well as a number of fans -- involved in Friday night's brawl during a game between the Pacers and Detroit Pistons.
"Charges are forthcoming," Oakland County prosecutor David Gorcyca said in a phone interview. "Players and fans will be charged. . . . Eventually all those responsible will be held accountable."
A spokesman for the NBA Players Association said it will appeal the Pacers' suspensions. League rules state that Commissioner David Stern has the final say on all appeals.
(Kathy Willens - AP)
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| _____ Brawl in Detroit _____
Five Pacers are charged with assault and battery for their roles in the brawl.
Ron Artest continues his enigmatic tendencies as he sorts through the aftermath of his brawl and the public's perception of him.
_____ On Our Site _____
Live Online: Post's Greg Sandoval discussed the brawl Wednesday.
What's your opinion?
_____ Multimedia _____
Audio: Prosecutor David Gorcyca talks about the charges.
Audio: Chief hopes fans will change as a result of charges.
Video: Artest expresses regret for the brawl and promotes a new CD.
Video: The Post's Wise on the suspensions and the aftermath.
_____ A Fit Punishment? _____ | | |
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Gorcyca is waiting until all the evidence is gathered before charging individuals, a process that will take at least two weeks, said Lt. James Manning of the Auburn Hills Police Department. The investigation has been slowed by the sheer volume of altercations captured on video.
Police have also begun investigating new reports that Indiana reserve center David Harrison struck a man during the melee but apparently out of camera range. "The information that we've received is that Harrison hit a 60-year-old man without any provocation," Gorcyca said.
Harrison, via a Pacers spokesman, declined to comment.
A day after the NBA suspended four Pacers -- including forward Ron Artest for the remainder of the season (73 games), swingman Stephen Jackson for 30 games and center-forward Jermaine O'Neal for 25 games -- the Indiana franchise rallied around the embattled players.
A spokesman for the NBA Players Association said it will appeal the Pacers' suspensions by tomorrow. The players' union will also ask that the appeals be heard by an independent arbitrator. League rules state that Commissioner David Stern has the final say on all appeals. Stern handed out the initial punishment Sunday.
"We're backing Ronnie 100 percent," said Larry Bird, Indiana's president of basketball operations during an afternoon news conference. "We support all our players. At times like this we need the support of our fans and I think we'll have it."
Friday night's game ended in one of the ugliest incidents in professional sports history when a brawl broke out in the final minute of Indiana's 97-82 victory, forcing the game to be called before the final buzzer. Arena officials have said nine people suffered injuries.
The brawl started after Detroit's Ben Wallace shoved Artest following a hard foul. As Artest lay on the scorer's table, he was struck by a beverage thrown from the stands and went into the crowd and exchanged punches with several men.
Jackson also charged into the stands and fought with fans. Later, the fighting spilled onto the court, where video captured O'Neal slugging a man. Throughout, players were pelted with objects thrown by numerous fans, such as ice, cups of liquid and popcorn.
Artest apologized Sunday. O'Neal, an all-star, issued his own statement yesterday.
"I was distressed and shocked to see the situation spiral out of control," O'Neal said. "I regret what happened, and I promise to work as hard as I can to help restore respect for NBA basketball."
Wallace was suspended for six games but said he will not appeal.
Nine fans have filed complaints alleging they were attacked during the fracas, according to Gorcyca's office.
Because no one was seriously injured, most of the people involved in the altercation face misdemeanor assault-and-battery charges, which under Michigan law are punishable by up to 93 days in jail.
"Had it not been for the notoriety of the athletes, these charges would not be considered a big deal," said Gorcyca. "Typically, this case would not have even reached my desk."
Only one of the people involved in the melee could be charged with a felony: the man who threw a folding chair that struck a policeman, Gorcyca said.
Police have also interviewed the man who they say threw the drink that struck Artest. Manning would not discuss whether the man will face charges but he did say that throwing anything at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Pistons' home court, is a violation of a local ordinance and could mean a 90-day jail term.
Police are seeking to interview players, coaches and members of the media at the game.
"We're going to coordinate our information before we present our final case," said Manning. "We also still have to determine who was defending themselves and who were the aggressors."
