Five Pacers Charged With Assault
Seven Detroit fans also facing raps for November basketball melee
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Five Pacers Charged With Assault
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Five Pacers Charged With Assault -
Five Pacers Charged With Assault -
Five Pacers Charged With Assault -
Five Pacers Charged With Assault -
Five Pacers Charged With Assault -
Five Pacers Charged With Assault -
Five Pacers Charged With Assault
DECEMBER 8--Five Indiana Pacers players were charged today for their roles in the brawl that broke out last month at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons. Ron Artest, David Harrison, Stephen Jackson, and Anthony Johnson were each hit with a single misdemeanor count of assault and battery, while Jermaine O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery. Each misdemeanor count carries a maximum of three months in jail and a $500 fine. The five athletes tangled with fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills in the waning moments of a November 19 game after Artest was hit with a drink allegedly thrown by fan/convicted felon John Green, who was charged with two assault and battery counts (for inciting the melee by dousing Artest and then rabbit punching him when the NBA star entered the stands). Along with Green, six other fans were charged in connection with the melee, including the brother of Piston Ben Wallace and William Paulson, who last month filed a civil lawsuit claiming that he was attacked by Artest and Jackson. Below you'll find a Michigan District Court warrant detailing most of the assorted misdemeanor charges, as well as a list of 150 prospective witnesses, including players, coaches, broadcasters, and others present while the brawl raged. (7 pages)
