So why AREN’T participants in fights like that…..

[BayernFan]

At sporting events charged with assault and battery or other crimes? If anyone got into a fight like that at our jobs, they would be arrested and charged.

I can’t imagine that there is a legal basis for coaches and players to have some sort of immunity against prosecution for criminal conduct like that.

The fight is on tape. Why not charge them?

 

[zeke4ahs]

I’m wondering the same. I would if I was Wisconsin assistant, especially if Howard gets a hand slap.

 

[Courtsensetwo]

At sporting events charged with assault and battery or other crimes? If anyone got into a fight like that at our jobs, they would be arrested and charged.

I can’t imagine that there is a legal basis for coaches and players to have some sort of immunity against prosecution for criminal conduct like that.

The fight is on tape. Why not charge them?

There are reasons, none of them legitimate.

 

[BayernFan]

There are reasons, none of them legitimate.

I wonder what would happen if a local prosecutor there were to file charges and persuade a judge to issue arrest warrants. That would be wild and awesome.

 

[Courtsensetwo]

I wonder what would happen if a local prosecutor there were to file charges and persuade a judge to issue arrest warrants. That would be wild and awesome.

Very awesome

 

[HoosierJimbo89]

At sporting events charged with assault and battery or other crimes? If anyone got into a fight like that at our jobs, they would be arrested and charged.

I can’t imagine that there is a legal basis for coaches and players to have some sort of immunity against prosecution for criminal conduct like that.

The fight is on tape. Why not charge them?

I think if the contact isn't normally part of the game, then you technically could sue somebody for battery AND anybody engaging in battery could be charged with a crime. I don't know if professional leagues have some type of contract clause stating that the league will deal with any punishment.

 

[BayernFan]

I think if the contact isn't normally part of the game, then you technically could sue somebody for battery AND anybody engaging in battery could be charged with a crime. I don't know if professional leagues have some type of contract clause stating that the league will deal with any punishment.

Right. You can’t charge boxers for battery. Or football players for tackling. Or baseball players for spiking. Or basketball players for hard fouls.

But this? Easy peasy. Not anything to do with the game.

they committed violent crimes.

 

[13thman]

The only time I remember charges being filed was the Malice in the Palace and I'm sure it's because it spilled into the stands.

 

[HoosierJimbo89]

The only time I remember charges being filed was the Malice in the Palace and I'm sure it's because it spilled into the stands.

The Netflix documentary on the Malice is pretty darn good. The Wayne County Prosecutor was pretty interesting. He charged a number of fans and, I believe, stated that the fans were more responsible than the players.

 

[ams66]

Most likely by agreeing to play/participate in the Big Ten the players and coaches agree to let the league handle any discipline related to league events. This is legal as long as the league follows their own rules on how this is handled.

 

[BayernFan]

Most likely by agreeing to play/participate in the Big Ten the players and coaches agree to let the league handle any discipline related to league events. This is legal as long as the league follows their own rules on how this is handled.

Is the State a party to any such “agreements”?

 

[HoosierJimbo89]

Is the State a party to any such “agreements”?

It is kind of weird because a sporting league agreement like this "violates" public policy, like criminal law and torts. With the Pistons/Pacers fight, the NBA has no power over the Wayne County Prosecutor and I doubt the Wayne County Prosecutor is part of any NBA agreements. Torts may be a different story because one league member would be suing another one.

 

[ams66]

Is the State a party to any such “agreements”?

Unless Gard or Howard want to press charges, they will let the league handle it. They have real crimes to worry about.

 

[zeke4ahs]

Unless Gard or Howard want to press charges, they will let the league handle it. They have real crimes to worry about.

I think it’s the assistant coach who has the case.

 

[HoosierJimbo89]

I think it’s the assistant coach who has the case.

Howard could also sue Gard for battery. Gard made an offensive contact to Howard's person.

 

[BayernFan]

I’m not talking about lawsuits. I’m talking about a prosecutor filing criminal charges. Doesn’t need permission of a victim to do so.

 

[ams66]

I’m not talking about lawsuits. I’m talking about a prosecutor filing criminal charges. Doesn’t need permission of a victim to do so.

In the context of what the Wayne County prosecutor's office has to deal with, a momentary scuffle between two millionaries isn't on the radar. Is anyone bleeding? Is anyone in the hospital or the morgue? They will let the league handle it.

 

[Rockport Zebra]

I was involved with a game many years ago where one of our players hit a rent a cop after time expired. The rent a cop was trying to prevent Coach from chasing the Ref. The police said they were going to take the 18 year old player to jail. Coach said if he goes to jail then we are all going to jail. We got on the Bus. I don't know what the right answer is for a Coach hitting another Coach.

 

[NWfor3]

So many things going on in this situation...Michigan is getting beat by 15 with :15 left in game, they are pressing full court against Wisconsin's subs. WI calls TO, Michigan fouls with :13 left. Why? Game is over...
Hand shake line, Howard pulls his mask down and says some things to Gard, Gard touches/"grabs" Howard and says something, then Howard grabs Gard by the shirt and puts his finger in his face. Then all hell breaks loose as players, coaches, staff try to separate everyone. Michigan escalates the situation as Howard hits a WI asst coach and 2 of Howard's players go crazy and start swinging at anyone from WI. #5 from Michigan is clearly seen running his mouth early on and then laughing in people's faces after he was swinging at/hitting them.
A lot to figure out today for BIG 10 and both schools. Certainly there has to be some suspensions and what will Michigan do with Howard? He had a situation last year vs. Maryland with their HC.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

So many things going on in this situation...Michigan is getting beat by 15 with :15 left in game, they are pressing full court against Wisconsin's subs. WI calls TO, Michigan fouls with :13 left. Why? Game is over...
Hand shake line, Howard pulls his mask down and says some things to Gard, Gard touches/"grabs" Howard and says something, then Howard grabs Gard by the shirt and puts his finger in his face. Then all hell breaks loose as players, coaches, staff try to separate everyone. Michigan escalates the situation as Howard hits a WI asst coach and 2 of Howard's players go crazy and start swinging at anyone from WI. #5 from Michigan is clearly seen running his mouth early on and then laughing in people's faces after he was swinging at/hitting them.
A lot to figure out today for BIG 10 and both schools. Certainly there has to be some suspensions and what will Michigan do with Howard? He had a situation last year vs. Maryland with their HC.

I’m sure that Kevin Warren has this all figured out and knows exactly what to do….but he’ll wait until he’s done picking up Dunkin Donuts for his boss, Barry Alvarez.

 

[VanPastorMan]

At sporting events charged with assault and battery or other crimes? If anyone got into a fight like that at our jobs, they would be arrested and charged.

I can’t imagine that there is a legal basis for coaches and players to have some sort of immunity against prosecution for criminal conduct like that.

The fight is on tape. Why not charge them?

Last week there was a fight at Northrop high school in the FORT. One of the.fathers came onto the court and I hired a kid from the opposing team. I am not sure who was charged.

 

[abraxis]

At sporting events charged with assault and battery or other crimes? If anyone got into a fight like that at our jobs, they would be arrested and charged.

I can’t imagine that there is a legal basis for coaches and players to have some sort of immunity against prosecution for criminal conduct like that.

The fight is on tape. Why not charge them?

What happens on the playground, stays on the playground with boys just being boys. Knight got fired for grabbing another guy's arm based upon hearsay. Gard won't get fired for grabbing another guys arm with video evidence. Likewise, Howard won't get fired for "slapping at in the direction of another one". Equality will never exist so let's not pretend like it ever will.

 

[ams66]

What happens on the playground, stays on the playground with boys just being boys. Knight got fired for grabbing another guy's arm based upon hearsay. Gard won't get fired for grabbing another guys arm with video evidence. Likewise, Howard won't get fired for "slapping at in the direction of another one". Equality will never exist so let's not pretend like it ever will.

Myles Brand didn't have the guts to get rid of Knight on his own say-so, and was waiting for the first excuse to fire him after putting him on "zero tolerance." What happens to Howard depends on how much of his behavior the UM administration is willing to tolerate.

That said, you are right that different standards apply on the court/on the field than in ordinary day-to-day situations. Hockey players frequently get in fights on the ice that would get other people arrested for doing the same thing at a bar. Also coaches are held to a higher standard than players for this sort of stuff.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[frikkenfrakken]

At sporting events charged with assault and battery or other crimes? If anyone got into a fight like that at our jobs, they would be arrested and charged.

I can’t imagine that there is a legal basis for coaches and players to have some sort of immunity against prosecution for criminal conduct like that.

The fight is on tape. Why not charge them?

Marty McSorely got charged for braining Donald Brashear with his stick in a NHL game.

It happens occasionally. I feel like if it happened more often, there might be less of it.
The Kansas KSU rumble comes to mind as one where someone probably should have been charged.

One problem with charging people is that other than the initial instigator, most of the other participants have legitimate self defense or defense of a 3rd person claims.

So, if it happened in Indiana, you might get Gard on a B Misdemeanor Battery for grabbing Howard, and maybe Howard on an A Misdemeanor for the slap on the assistant, but everyone else is probably walking anyway.

If you're the prosecutor, why waste all the resources that you have to spend on a high profile case, just so you can get a couple misdemeanor sentences that amount to very little?

Plus, most sports fans are voters. You arent very likely to win a bunch of votes in Madison by prosecuting Greg Gard for that.

 

[T.M.P.]

I’m wondering the same. I would if I was Wisconsin assistant, especially if Howard gets a hand slap.

If they do then every player in the conference should file charges on Davison. Anyone that got nut punched by him should file sexual harassment ..

Or not.