Bucks County DA Announces Decision Whether To File Charges Against Neshaminy Basketball Coach
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) – The Bucks County District Attorney is recommending the Neshaminy high school basketball coach, seen in a now-famous video shoving a referee to the floor in a January 5th high-school game, be charged with a summary offense of Harassment.
Bucks County DA David Heckler says after reviewing the video, they feel the actions of Neshaminy coach Jerry Divine do not rise to the level misdemeanor assault, as they find no apparent attempt to cause physical injury.
"Here the official went down, he got up, he did not report to police that he experienced any particular exceptional pain."
That, Heckler says falls under harassment, an attempt to harass annoy or alarm another person. As for the debate of whether or not it was a head-butt or a shove, Heckler says, the sides of their heads did make contact, but the main force of impact was from the chest.
Neshaminy School District has said that Devine will keep his job as a teacher and is back in the classroom, but remains on indefinite suspension from his coaching position.