Players and fans expected to face charges in brawl

According to The Detroit News, players Jermaine O’Neal, Ron Artest, David Harrison, Anthony Johnson and Stephen Jackson are expected to face charges.

O’Neal is likely to be charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, while the other four players are expected to face one count of assault and battery. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

The fight involving spectators and players broke out near the end of the game after an on-court dispute over a foul. The contest was stopped with 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Indiana was credited with a 97-82 victory.

With the Pacers ahead by 15 points, things unraveled when Ben Wallace was fouled by Artest and the Pistons’ center took exception to what he deemed a hard foul and gave Artest a two-handed push to the face.

After that, the pushing and shoving continued by the scorers’ table as players came off both benches. The Detroit fans then lost control and began throwing cups filled with liquid and ice at Artest, who was surprisingly staying out of harm’s way on top of the scorers’ table. Artest was hit in the head with a flying cup and immediately raced into the stands and started punching whom he thought was the culprit.

Jackson followed into the crowd, along with several other players, and started swinging away at the unruly fans.

Meanwhile, John Green, the season ticket holder accused of throwing the cup at Artest that sparked the melee, is expected to be charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery.

Bryant Jackson, the fan accused of throwing a chair into the crowd, is expected to be charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery and one count of felony assault.

David Wallace, the brother of the Pistons’ Ben Wallace, is expected to be charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery, as are two other fans, who have not yet been publicly identified.

Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca wouldn’t confirm or deny the reports or mention what charges he is pursuing. He has scheduled a 2 p.m. (et) press conference with Auburn Hills police.

On Monday, police turned over the findings to Gorcyca, who last week announced that he would charge players and fans involved in the brawl.

Two days after the disgraceful incident, NBA commissioner David Stern issued harsh penalties. He suspended Artest for the remainder of the season, while Jackson got a 30-game suspension and O’Neal 25 games. Ben Wallace received six games and Johnson got suspended for five. Four players were also suspended for one game each — Indiana’s Reggie Miller and Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman.