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Five Indiana Pacers players were charged on Wednesday for fighting with fans in the stands and on the court at the end of a NBA game against the Detroit Pistons last month.
Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson were all charged with one count of assault and battery, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of about three months in jail and a fine of up to $500 (?375). Jermaine O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery.
Police requested arrest warrants for the five players.
Five fans also were charged, according to WXYZ-TV.
Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca said he would announce the charges at a news conference later Wednesday.
With less than a minute left in the Pacers-Pistons game on Nov. 19, Artest fouled Detroit's Ben Wallace on a drive to the basket. Wallace delivered a hard, two-handed shove to Artest.
That sparked an initial skirmish that wasn't all that bad, and Artest retreated to the scorer's table while calm was restored by the officials. But then a spectator tossed a cup at Artest, and he stormed into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.
Jackson joined Artest and threw punches at fans, who punched back. O'Neal hit a fan who ran onto the court. At one point, a chair was tossed into the fray.
Two days later, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Artest for the rest of the season. Jackson was banned for 30 games, O'Neal for 25, and other players received shorter suspensions.
The players' union is appealing the suspensions of Artest, Jackson and O'Neal, and a grievance hearing is scheduled for Thursday in New York.
Source: AP
Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson were all charged with one count of assault and battery, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of about three months in jail and a fine of up to $500 (?375). Jermaine O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery.
Police requested arrest warrants for the five players.
Five fans also were charged, according to WXYZ-TV.
Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca said he would announce the charges at a news conference later Wednesday.
With less than a minute left in the Pacers-Pistons game on Nov. 19, Artest fouled Detroit's Ben Wallace on a drive to the basket. Wallace delivered a hard, two-handed shove to Artest.
That sparked an initial skirmish that wasn't all that bad, and Artest retreated to the scorer's table while calm was restored by the officials. But then a spectator tossed a cup at Artest, and he stormed into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.
Jackson joined Artest and threw punches at fans, who punched back. O'Neal hit a fan who ran onto the court. At one point, a chair was tossed into the fray.
Two days later, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Artest for the rest of the season. Jackson was banned for 30 games, O'Neal for 25, and other players received shorter suspensions.
The players' union is appealing the suspensions of Artest, Jackson and O'Neal, and a grievance hearing is scheduled for Thursday in New York.
Source: AP