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The five Indiana Pacers players who are facing charges stemming from a near riot that broke out in a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan on November 19th will each be tried separately.
Judge Lisa Asadoorian granted the players' request for separate trials. The players contended that if they were tried together, they may be called to testify in a way that was self-incriminating. The five defendants, Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson and David Harrison all face misdemeanor assault and battery charges stemming from their involvement in a brawl that broke out between the Pacers and Pistons fans at the conclusion of an NBA game.
Two of the remaining fans facing charges, William Paulson and John Ackerman, asked to be tried together but separate from the players. That request was also granted by the judge. The final two defendants, David Wallace, brother of Pistons center Ben Wallace, and John Green will also be tried together. Green allegedly started the brawl by throwing a drink that hit Artest while the Pacers player was lying on the scorer's table.
None of the players or fans who are defendants in the case attended Friday's hearing. Artest was suspended for the rest of the NBA season as a result of his actions during the brawl which included entering the stands to attack fans. The brawl is considered the worst in NBA history.
The five Indiana Pacers players who are facing charges stemming from a near riot that broke out in a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan on November 19th will each be tried separately.
Judge Lisa Asadoorian granted the players' request for separate trials. The players contended that if they were tried together, they may be called to testify in a way that was self-incriminating. The five defendants, Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson and David Harrison all face misdemeanor assault and battery charges stemming from their involvement in a brawl that broke out between the Pacers and Pistons fans at the conclusion of an NBA game.
Two of the remaining fans facing charges, William Paulson and John Ackerman, asked to be tried together but separate from the players. That request was also granted by the judge. The final two defendants, David Wallace, brother of Pistons center Ben Wallace, and John Green will also be tried together. Green allegedly started the brawl by throwing a drink that hit Artest while the Pacers player was lying on the scorer's table.
None of the players or fans who are defendants in the case attended Friday's hearing. Artest was suspended for the rest of the NBA season as a result of his actions during the brawl which included entering the stands to attack fans. The brawl is considered the worst in NBA history.
