Posted on 10/11/2006 8:17:54 PM PDT by Kimmers
Marion County - Pacers basketball player Stephen Jackson was charged Wednesday with felony criminal recklessness following a fight and shooting an a west side strip club last week. He also faces misdemeanor charges of battery and disorderly conduct.
Jackson apologized for his role in the fight Tuesday, but he still faces serious charges. It happened at Club Rio while he partied with team mates and several friends.
An eyewitness to the fight says it all started when Quentin "Fingers" Willford tried to befriend one of the dancers performing for the players.
"They started to get into an altercation and Fingers started to put his hand in somebody's face," said the witness.
Eventually the disagreement spilled over into the parking lot. That's where prosecutors and the eyewitness say Jackson took part in beating "Fingers" before firing his gun.
"The guy was holding down Fingers and they were beating him up and he yelled out, 'Dino, Dino, Dino, help me, Dino,'" said the witness.
"He kicked the person on the ground, fired the rounds in the air, walked back to his car when the car Mr. Willford was driving strikes him," said Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, who announced the charges at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Carl Brizzi charged Fingers' cousin, Deon "Dino" Willford, with battery, failure to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident and operating a vehicle without a license. But what bothered the prosecutor even more is when Jackson kept shooting his 9 millimeter with a parking lot full of people.
"Those bullets go up and have to come down at least at 90 miles per hour and they do have the ability to take someone's life," Brizzi said.
Jackson faces criminal recklessness, battery and disorderly conduct. If convicted, his could face up to three years in jail.
Raymel Mattox, a Pacer friend, faces battery, possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct. "Mr. Mattox struck Fingers and started the fight and the other information we have is that Mr. Jackson kicked Fingers while he was down," Brizzi said.
Jackon won't make an appearance on the court for the first preseason game. But he is scheduled to appear in court. He's expected to turn himself into authorities Thursday morning.
Meantime, Indiana Pacers CEO and President Donnie Walsh issued the following statement Wednesday: "As has been reported, charges were filed today against Stephen Jackson as a continuation from the incident of Oct. 6. As to the charges brought, there is a presumption of innocence and we will let the judicial process run its course. As we have stated, we regret the incident and hope for a quick resolution. The NBA office has been informed and we will be in contact with league office as the process continues. The Pacers are strong advocates of anti-violence campaigns as they have been throughout the franchise's history."
Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson calls the Pacers situation unfortunate. He says the team represents the city, and he understands why many fans are unhappy. "I want to be supportive of the team and the Pacers organization, but they're going to have to deal with this. It's a problem. There's no getting around it. There's no upside to it. It's disappointing," said the mayor.
You can't make up some of this stuff.
"Those bullets go up and have to come down at least at 90 miles per hour and they do have the ability to take someone's life," Brizzi said.
Only 90?
Looks like the Pacers will have a team in the PBA this year.
LOL...you really can't
I am so glad I have a class act like the Indianapolis Colts to cheer for....I have grown weary of the antics of the Pacers...
BTW, is it Stephen Jackson, or is that Stephon Jackson?
Dang! I thought it was Jesse or Michael.
To quote Fingers...
I don't know how many people is was going to take to whip my a$$, but I know how many people they were going to use.
I used to be a huge Pacers fan, when they had class acts like Reggie Miller, Sam Perkins, and Rik Smits playing for them. Now I wouldn't watch them if you paid me.
I am not a follower or fan of the NBA, nor do I expect to become one.
I will make a guess, the alleged perp is Black.
I don't know about you, but I'm just glad this story wasn't about Michael Jackson.
Mythbusters found that the terminal velocity of a penny was between 50 and 68 mph. Not fast enough to break your skin, or kill you; but it would smart a bit. A bullet hitting 90 is plausible, but I think it may be a bit less than 90 mph. It would depend a great deal on the number of grams of lead in it.
Gosh, I so agree with you...I really miss all of those guys. Reggie really ripped them a new one after this incident and they deserved it....Every team needs a leader that is worthy of following and I do not think the Pacers have one.
I'm waiting for an NBA team named the "THUGS".
BOTTA BING...PING
Fuhgetaboutit, Fingahs
A human body reaches 120 mph terminal velocity.
Why would a much more aerodynamic object fall at a slower speed?
I don't believe it.
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