http://www.theindychannel.com/news/3938974/detail.html Prosecutor Says Fans, Players Could Face Criminal Charges POSTED: 11:25 am EST November 22, 2004 UPDATED: 12:23 pm EST November 22, 2004 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons fan suspected of throwing a beverage on Indiana Pacers' player Ron Artest, reportedly leading to Friday night's brawl, has been identified and is wanted for questioning, according to Detroit station WDIV-TV. Police have identified the fan -- believed to have thrown the first beer at the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest -- as John Green, of West Bloomfield, a suburb of Detroit. Police have identified this fan -- believed to have thrown the first beer at the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest -- as John Green, of the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield. John Green, of West Bloomfield, was caught on tape throwing his cup of beer, WDIV reported. The act reportedly sent Artest into a rage in the stands, where players and fans fought during the game between the Pistons and the Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. While Artest was sprawled on his back on a scorer's table, away from a scuffle on the court, Green, who was identified over the weekend as "the fan in the white hat," apparently threw the plastic cup of beer. Artest then jumped up and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats. Green stepped aside and another person took the initial blow, according to reports. The tape of Friday's fight then shows the man attacking Artest from behind. Green was expected to speak with Auburn Hills police Sunday night, but did not appear, the station reported. He is reportedly a season-ticket holder at The Palace. "I think that's what escalated the whole situation. We're certainly wanting to interview that individual. That individual knows who he is. I suggest he should turn himself in to be questioned by the Auburn Hills Police Department," said Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca. "If he doesn't, I can assure you we will locate him." Gorcyca said the investigation will begin with Green, who is believed to have thrown the first cup. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office is expected to announce charges against 25 to 50 other fans who participated in the fight at The Palace. Gorcyca said anyone who threw a cup or a punch -- including players and fans -- could face criminal charges. "The throwing of an object and striking someone constitutes an assault," said Gorcyca.
Some of this journalism seems a bit stretched. Artest made his way up into the stands, but he didn't swing at fans on the way to the one guy. Once he got to that one guy, he didn't even throw a punch! He pulled him down, but he didn't punch the guy. The first punch that I saw Artest throw was to the guy with the white hat, only after that punk started hitting Artest from behind. Quote from article: While Artest was sprawled on his back on a scorer's table, away from a scuffle on the court, Green, who was identified over the weekend as "the fan in the white hat," apparently threw the plastic cup of beer. Artest then jumped up and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats. Green stepped aside and another person took the initial blow, according to reports. The tape of Friday's fight then shows the man attacking Artest from behind.
I'm actually amazed that artest was able to pick out the guy who threw it. He was in a prone position and I can't imagine that he was looking into the stands when it happened. So for him to come within one or two guys of the actual cup thrower is quite a feat in itself. The kid has talent.
He knew the general direction, and there was a pack of them bouncing, laughing, and pointing. Most of the people in the section had already left, believe it or not. Still, Ron picked the wrong guy. I'm just happy to hear that the AHPD are going to round up those f***ing Detroit hooligans. Evan
Exactly. I hope the 'fan' punishment is just as severe as that given to the players. While I agree that he deserves punishment for his part in the incident, he didn't charge the fans over taunts...he was basically assaulted. Millionaire or not most of us would have responded the same.
Most people are mature enough to walk away from a situation they know they won't win. Artest is a certifiable idiot. Those fans don't have a right to do what they did, and they should never be let back in a NBA game again. But that doesn't excuse the stupidity of his actions. The punishment these guys got is not for an assault, but for damaging the product, the NBA brand name. The fight's been replayed and replayed, and publicity is high. The NBA had to act harshly just from a PR standpoint.
Honestly, I don't think Artest is gonna get that much trouble. Look at the tape, when he went up there, he didn't swing a punch. He was going towards the guy when the guy in the white hat pushed him towards the fan with glasses (a very cowardly move I might add, also probably the first physical contact made). Artest didn't punch but instead try to pin the guy. Then the guy in the white hat jumped on Artest and started punching him in the back. I seriously hope the guy in the white hat get some where he can't screw with some one and make another guy take the fall.
I agree with Sam. It's interesting how every single party involved is to blame. Ben Wallace went overboard and sort of crossed the line in his response. The fan crossed the line by throwing the cup. Artest crossed the line going in to the stands. Two different fans crossed the line going on to the floor. Jermaine O'Neal crossed the line popping one of those fans while they were on the ground and being held (somewhat) by security. Fans cross line again by raining down food/beer/chairs. Security never crossed any line ... they just sucked. Everyone just escalated the situation further and further. And if someone threw a cup at me like that, I'd want to take their head off too, but if it was at my ridiculously high-paying job, meant me possibly losing 7 million dollars and my career, I'd have to try like hell to take the high road there and let security nail the guy. Easier said than done, I know ... but Artest and the Pacers are now paying dearly for it. I hope this beer-throwing guy gets nailed though. I'm more interested now hearing that he didn't show up and authorities are looking for him again. I wouldn't mind an OJ-style chase through the streets of Detroit.
In terms of the beer-throwing guy, would you settle for a public flogging at Conseco Fieldhouse? Seems like great halftime entertainment at the Christmas Day Pistons at Pacers game.
I hope they do prosecute the beer throwing fan in Detroit. What I find a little funny is that Artest went in the stands to confront someone that threw a cup of beer at him rather than go after Ben Wallace who almost broke his neck with that push. Maybe Artest is smarter than we give him credit for....Wallace may have killed him while a guy 5'8" in the stands is a much easier matchup.
Makes one wonder if they can't handle this, how can they handle a terrorist attack/threat? I'm sure terrorist are studying this incident to see how they can escalate this into a full riot.
My problem was Steve Jackson, look like he thrown his punches to anyone around him. He's really a punk, my brother in law told me he always picked a fight in high school..(He was in the same class w/my brother in law from Port Arthur), I live close to his mother's house...He should have gotten suspend for the rest of the year like Ron...
"Green stepped aside and another person took the initial blow, according to reports. The tape of Friday's fight then shows the man attacking Artest from behind." What a b****. No way this dude would have done **** if he thought there was even a remote chance Artest would come up after him. Artest deserves his punishment but I hope at least fans might think twice before trying to get into it with a guy twice their size in the future.
Artest actually displayed that maturity when Wallace pushed him back 20 ft and then threw a towel at him...which makes his explanation of how someone crossed the line with the plastic cup even more ridiculous.
They just better not interrupt any Rockets games to show it or I might have to go OJ on some TV producer.
Artest was prepared for what Wallace did. When the fan got involved, it was like an invasion into Artest's business. The fans should mind their own f'n business. The fan's think they are big sh't when they are in a crowd and a player "can't" touch them. Wallace and Artest are in the same field of play, not some punk fan. Artest wasn't mentally ready to turn the other cheek on that one. I bet fans will think twice about what they do though, from now on, wherever it is.
according to MSNBC Detroit is the second most dangerous city in the country. Camdem, New Jersey which is just across the bridge from Philly, is the most dangerous. anyway i find it funny Artest didnt go after Wallace , who shoved him in the throat, but went at a guy who threw sum ice at him.
