Fight at the Palace

[jonnycomelately]

Only after they buy a copy of "Allore" first. Or if they refuse to buy it. Or if they look at him funny. Or...

[VinceMcMahonForPresident]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Indiana Pacers players will be charged for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 brawl at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons, Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca told The Detroit News.

"Whoever was involved in fisticuffs will be charged, regardless if they were wearing a jersey. It's obvious there were several Pacer players and fans that dealt blows," Gorcyca said, the newspaper reported Tuesday.

The prosecutor declined to say which players would be charged or what the charges might be.

Auburn Hills police Lt. James Manning told the newspaper that he expects four members of the Pacers to face assault and battery charges.

Manning said at a news conference Monday that a lawyer for the Pacers told detectives that none of the players would agree to be interviewed by police. Prosecutors could get the police report by the beginning of next week, Manning said.

The fight between spectators and players broke out near the end of the game after an on-court dispute over a foul. A fan hurled a drink at Pacers forward Ron Artest, who charged into the stands, followed by teammates.

Artest was suspended without pay for the rest of the season by the NBA; Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games, Jermaine O'Neal for 25. The players' union appealed those punishments.

Police determined that a fourth member of the Pacers, reserve center David Harrison, was involved in the brawl, too, but the NBA didn't suspend him.

[jonnycomelately]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Two men were banned from events at The Palace for what the Detroit Pistons say is their involvement in last month's NBA brawl.

John Green and Charlie Haddad were sent letters informing them of the ban, which also includes events at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said Wednesday. The Clarkston site is another holding of the Palace Sports and Entertainment organization.

Apart from Pistons games, the Palace hosts figure skating competitions and concerts. The DTE Energy Music Theatre holds concerts.

Green, of Oakland County's West Bloomfield Township, is accused of lobbing a cup at Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest on Nov. 19, sparking the brawl. Haddad, of Burt, ran onto the court that night, Dobek said.

The brawl spilled into the stands and led to three Indiana players being suspended for 25 or more games, including a season-long ban for Artest.

"That's ridiculous. Are they going to ban Artest and the other Pacers who ran into the stands and beat up on our fans and the people that live in this community," Shawn Smith, Green's attorney, said Wednesday. "They're completely picking on the little guy. ... It's not fair."

Ron Baker, an attorney representing Haddad, said: "Charlie would like to stress ... he's an avid and loyal Pistons fan. He was injured in that brawl between the Pacers and the fans. He'll have more to say in the future about it.

"He just wants to have his normal life back."

Although not mentioned as part of the ban, the man whom police say threw a chair during the melee has been convicted of assault before, The Detroit News is reporting. According to court documents, Bryant Jackson was a co-defendant in an attempted murder case that was later dropped and also was convicted of assaulting the mother of his child, the newspaper reported.

A message left with Green's attorney Wednesday was not immediately returned. There is no telephone listing for Haddad.

No criminal charges have been filed in the brawl. Oakland County prosecutor David Gorcyca said Tuesday that police must finish their investigation first.

"It is obvious from the multitude of videotapes that numerous Pacer players and fans are implicated in criminal wrongdoing," Gorcyca said in a statement. "To issue charges in haste and before a thorough investigation is completed would be irresponsible and a dereliction of our duties."

Gorcyca had told The Detroit News that Pacers players will be charged but declined to specify the players or charges.

[jonnycomelately]

PONTIAC, Mich. -- After weeks of poring over videotape from one of the worst fights in U.S. sports history, prosecutors filed charges against five Indiana Pacers players and seven Detroit fans.

Pacers players Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson were charged Wednesday with single counts of assault and battery, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of about three months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Jermaine O'Neal, a three-time NBA All-Star, was charged with two counts of assault and battery for his actions in the brawl at the end of a game last month.

Five fans were charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, including Pistons star Ben Wallace's brother, David.

Fan Bryant Jackson also was charged with felony assault for throwing a chair. That crime is punishable by up to four years in prison, but he could get up to eight years because he has prior convictions, Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca said.

The other fans and players would likely face only fines and probation if they have clean records. Two other spectators were charged with violating a local ordinance for walking onto the court.

Gorcyca said there was no video evidence that any Pistons players threw punches.

Lawyers for two players and one of the fans said their actions had been reasonable in the context of the chaos that erupted.

Gorcyca said one man was more to blame than the others: John Green of Oakland County's West Bloomfield Township faces two assault counts and is the man accused of throwing the cup that sparked the brawl.

"I would like to hold Mr. Green more accountable, because had not he thrown that cup and struck Artest, we wouldn't be here today," the prosecutor said.

Gorcyca personally identified the 39-year-old Green early in the investigation because they were neighbors years ago in the Detroit area. Green also has a prior record, so his penalty could be stiffer if he is convicted, Gorcyca said.

Green's lawyer, Shawn Smith, called the charges against his client "outrageous and the worst kind of politics" and said the prosecutor was caving to the big business of basketball by "picking on the little guy."

"He's setting an example," Smith said of Gorcyca. "And I'm all for setting an example, but tell him to leave the game, don't prosecute him."

The fight among spectators and players broke out near the end of a Nov. 19 game at The Palace of Auburn Hills after an on-court dispute over a foul. Gorcyca said Green threw a drink at Artest, who then charged into the stands and attacked a man he thought had done it. Other Pacers followed him, and the brawl spread through the stands and then back on the court, as some fans walked down to confront the players.

David Wallace is one of three fans who face only a single count each of misdemeanor assault and battery. The others are John Ackerman of Grand Rapids and William Paulson of Grand Blanc, each accused of throwing a cup or liquid substance at players.

Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko said Charlie Haddad and Alvin "A.J." Shackelford, both of Burt, are charged with violating a local ordinance that prohibits fans from entering the court.

Olko said investigators planned to continue trying to identify all fans who entered the court during the fight and those who dumped drinks and debris on players as they exited the floor. Gorcyca said more charges could be filed.

Pacers chief executive Donnie Walsh said he would not comment until the cases were resolved. "In the meantime, we will continue to support our players in every possible way for the duration of these proceedings and afterward," he said.

Bloomfield Hills attorney James W. Burdick, who represents Stephen Jackson, said it was "unfair and inappropriate" to charge his client for his actions during the brawl. Jackson is seen in TV footage punching fans in the stands.

"The problem is this: a few crazed drunken fans who created a chaotic situation," Burdick said. "Steve responded in a way that he thought was necessary to protect himself and protect his friends."

Investigators studied 10 video feeds and more than 1,000 pages of police reports and witness statements, Gorcyca said.

Now that arrest warrants have been issued, those charged are required to turn themselves in. Bryant Jackson appeared briefly before a judge at 52nd District Court in Rochester Hills on Wednesday.

Jackson told the judge that he has a prior conviction for carrying a concealed weapon nine years ago and a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction three or four years ago.

NBA commissioner David Stern has suspended Artest for the rest of the season. Stephen Jackson was banned for 30 games, O'Neal for 25, and other players received shorter suspensions.

NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said Wednesday the league has cooperated with the police and prosecutors and does not anticipate further player discipline.

The players' union is appealing the suspensions of Artest, Jackson and O'Neal, and a grievance hearing is scheduled for Thursday in New York.

Palace president Tom Wilson said all seven fans charged in the brawl have been banned from the Palace.