CosmicCowboy
11-30-2004, 04:01 PM
Lawyer IDs fan accused of throwing Palace chair
He could face a felony assault charge; Pacers won't talk to cops
November 30, 2004
BY FRANK WITSIL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The alleged chair-throwing Pistons fan -- whose face has become famous as police have sought for more than a week to identify him -- finally has a name.
Auburn Hills police said Monday that the man's attorney disclosed his identity and is negotiating for him to tell what he knows about the hurled chair, which struck several people and gave one a concussion in a wild fracas at the Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers game Nov. 19.
Authorities did not release his name because he has not been charged.
But a person close to the investigation said the man is Bryant Jackson, 35, of Mundy Township, south of Flint. Jackson could not be reached for comment late Monday.
He could face the most serious charge -- felony assault, punishable by up to four years in prison if convicted -- of all the charges that are expected to be filed against fans and players involved in the melee at the Palace of Auburn Hills, police said. Other spectators are likely to be charged with assault and battery, a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, in other developments:
•Pacers players refused to be interviewed by local detectives, despite promises to cooperate with the investigation, police said.
•Auburn Hills detectives expect to interview spectators, including John Green, the West Bloomfield man who allegedly threw the blue plastic cup at Pacers player Ron Artest and sparked the brawl. On national television after the incident, Green called Artest a thug and said: "If they have found I broke the law, I'll pay the price."
•Police said they expect to finish their investigation by the end of the week.
On Monday, Kenneth Karasick, the attorney for the man who allegedly flung the chair into the crowd shortly after the fight broke out, went to the Auburn Hills police station to talk to detectives, Lt. James Manning said. The chair hit several people, including a police officer and a 67-year-old man, police said.
Karasick called police Saturday to confirm that the man they were looking for was his client, Manning said. The man has not been interviewed by police and is not in custody. Karasick did not return several telephone calls to his office late Monday afternoon.
The fight started in the last minute of the game when Green, 39, allegedly tossed a cup at Artest, who headed into the stands, swinging at spectators. Other Pacers players joined the fray, and the game was called.
The Pacers sent police a letter informing them that the players declined to be interviewed, Manning said.
Pacers officials could not be reached Monday for comment.
Police are trying to determine whether one of the other spectators caught on film who allegedly hit players was a brother of Ben Wallace, Manning said. They are also reviewing video that has been slowed and enhanced by a State Police crime lab.
Last week, at a news conference with representatives from the national media, Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko appealed to the chair thrower. She urged him to turn himself in: "It is only a matter of time that we will find you."
Police later offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, Manning said. The Palace offered another $1,000. On Friday, Auburn Hills police officers were on the lookout at a Pistons game for spectators possibly involved in the brawl the week before.
On Monday, Mundy Township Police Chief David Guigear said he did not know who the man was, but he said his officers would pick him up for police if they are asked or charges are filed.
"He's given us all a bad rap," Guigear said. "It's a shame."
Palace officials have not decided whether they will revoke season tickets from suspects, said Palace spokesman Matt Dobek. He did not know when a decision would be made, but said there was no rush because the next home game is not until Dec. 8.
Green was not a season-ticket holder, said his attorney, Shawn P. Smith.
But, Smith said, Green could be banned from the Palace for an indefinite period.
Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca, who recognized Green as a former neighbor, identified him.
Gorcyca has said he expects to bring assault and battery charges, a misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail, against spectators and players after he receives the police report. Gorcyca also said spectators who threw things at players as they left the court could be charged with misdemeanors.
He could face a felony assault charge; Pacers won't talk to cops
November 30, 2004
BY FRANK WITSIL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The alleged chair-throwing Pistons fan -- whose face has become famous as police have sought for more than a week to identify him -- finally has a name.
Auburn Hills police said Monday that the man's attorney disclosed his identity and is negotiating for him to tell what he knows about the hurled chair, which struck several people and gave one a concussion in a wild fracas at the Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers game Nov. 19.
Authorities did not release his name because he has not been charged.
But a person close to the investigation said the man is Bryant Jackson, 35, of Mundy Township, south of Flint. Jackson could not be reached for comment late Monday.
He could face the most serious charge -- felony assault, punishable by up to four years in prison if convicted -- of all the charges that are expected to be filed against fans and players involved in the melee at the Palace of Auburn Hills, police said. Other spectators are likely to be charged with assault and battery, a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, in other developments:
•Pacers players refused to be interviewed by local detectives, despite promises to cooperate with the investigation, police said.
•Auburn Hills detectives expect to interview spectators, including John Green, the West Bloomfield man who allegedly threw the blue plastic cup at Pacers player Ron Artest and sparked the brawl. On national television after the incident, Green called Artest a thug and said: "If they have found I broke the law, I'll pay the price."
•Police said they expect to finish their investigation by the end of the week.
On Monday, Kenneth Karasick, the attorney for the man who allegedly flung the chair into the crowd shortly after the fight broke out, went to the Auburn Hills police station to talk to detectives, Lt. James Manning said. The chair hit several people, including a police officer and a 67-year-old man, police said.
Karasick called police Saturday to confirm that the man they were looking for was his client, Manning said. The man has not been interviewed by police and is not in custody. Karasick did not return several telephone calls to his office late Monday afternoon.
The fight started in the last minute of the game when Green, 39, allegedly tossed a cup at Artest, who headed into the stands, swinging at spectators. Other Pacers players joined the fray, and the game was called.
The Pacers sent police a letter informing them that the players declined to be interviewed, Manning said.
Pacers officials could not be reached Monday for comment.
Police are trying to determine whether one of the other spectators caught on film who allegedly hit players was a brother of Ben Wallace, Manning said. They are also reviewing video that has been slowed and enhanced by a State Police crime lab.
Last week, at a news conference with representatives from the national media, Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko appealed to the chair thrower. She urged him to turn himself in: "It is only a matter of time that we will find you."
Police later offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, Manning said. The Palace offered another $1,000. On Friday, Auburn Hills police officers were on the lookout at a Pistons game for spectators possibly involved in the brawl the week before.
On Monday, Mundy Township Police Chief David Guigear said he did not know who the man was, but he said his officers would pick him up for police if they are asked or charges are filed.
"He's given us all a bad rap," Guigear said. "It's a shame."
Palace officials have not decided whether they will revoke season tickets from suspects, said Palace spokesman Matt Dobek. He did not know when a decision would be made, but said there was no rush because the next home game is not until Dec. 8.
Green was not a season-ticket holder, said his attorney, Shawn P. Smith.
But, Smith said, Green could be banned from the Palace for an indefinite period.
Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca, who recognized Green as a former neighbor, identified him.
Gorcyca has said he expects to bring assault and battery charges, a misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail, against spectators and players after he receives the police report. Gorcyca also said spectators who threw things at players as they left the court could be charged with misdemeanors.