ducks
07-24-2005, 10:39 AM
Pacers assault cases stemming from Palace brawl reassigned
July 22, 2005
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Cases against five Indiana Pacers players charged in last November's brawl with the Detroit Pistons have been reassigned among several judges.
The cases were reassigned Wednesday among the Oakland County district court's three judges using a blind draw, court administrator Linda Hammerstein said Friday.
Rochester Hills District Judge Lisa Asadoorian was initially assigned all the cases. But the cases were reassigned after Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Fred Mester agreed with arguments from lawyers for the Pacers players and ruled last month that assigning the cases en masse was improper.
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Asadoorian will remain in charge of Anthony Johnson's case, while David Harrison's case was assigned to Judge Nancy Carniak. Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson will all appear before Judge Julie Nicholson.
The players' trials had been scheduled to begin Aug. 1, starting with Artest. But now that the cases have been reassigned, the players' next court dates will not be set until Monday, Hammerstein said.
The Nov. 19 brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills started after Pistons center Ben Wallace shoved Artest following a hard foul. Artest was doused with a beverage, then charged into the stands and began beating a man he thought had thrown the drink. Some of his teammates joined him in the stands and also clashed with fans on the court.
The players and several fans awaiting trial are charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. They face a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
July 22, 2005
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Cases against five Indiana Pacers players charged in last November's brawl with the Detroit Pistons have been reassigned among several judges.
The cases were reassigned Wednesday among the Oakland County district court's three judges using a blind draw, court administrator Linda Hammerstein said Friday.
Rochester Hills District Judge Lisa Asadoorian was initially assigned all the cases. But the cases were reassigned after Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Fred Mester agreed with arguments from lawyers for the Pacers players and ruled last month that assigning the cases en masse was improper.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asadoorian will remain in charge of Anthony Johnson's case, while David Harrison's case was assigned to Judge Nancy Carniak. Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson will all appear before Judge Julie Nicholson.
The players' trials had been scheduled to begin Aug. 1, starting with Artest. But now that the cases have been reassigned, the players' next court dates will not be set until Monday, Hammerstein said.
The Nov. 19 brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills started after Pistons center Ben Wallace shoved Artest following a hard foul. Artest was doused with a beverage, then charged into the stands and began beating a man he thought had thrown the drink. Some of his teammates joined him in the stands and also clashed with fans on the court.
The players and several fans awaiting trial are charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. They face a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.