Basketbrawl Video Yields New Clues
A brother of the Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace and Indiana Pacers guard Fred Jones have been identified by police as being involved in a brawl at an NBA game last month, according to a story in the Detroit Free Press Saturday.
Police have turned over to prosecutors the names of eight players and fans who could be charged, including Ben Wallace's older brother, David, an unidentified person close to the police investigation told the newspaper.
David Wallace, a 33-year-old resident of Selma, Ala., was seen on video in the midst of the melee at The Palace of Auburn Hills, the newspaper reported. He was wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt and what appears to be a guest credential, police said.
A woman who answered the phone at David Wallace's home Saturday said Wallace would have no comment. When contacted last month by the AP, David Wallace denied being involved in the altercation.
Ben Wallace, who rejoined the team Friday night in San Antonio after a six-game suspension for shoving and throwing a wristband at Indiana forward Ron Artest, said he knew nothing of the matter involving his brother.
"Nah, I don't know nothing about it. I know about as much as you know. Nothing," he said Friday night.
An AP writer asked Wallace on Nov. 22 about his brother's possible involvement in the brawl, and he responded by saying: "Nah. Nah."
Detroit Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said he could not confirm that David Wallace was at the Nov. 19 game against the Indiana Pacers or that he had a credential.
Pacers officials could not be reached for comment.
The NBA had no comment on whether the new allegations would result in more penalties against players, spokesman Brian McIntyre told the Detroit Free Press.
"He's not on any list I have," Dobek told the Free Press. A message seeking comment from Dobek was left Saturday by The Associated Press.
A source close to the investigation told the Free Press that police were confident the man in the video is David Wallace.
Auburn Hills police Lt. James Manning said it is clear on video that Jones, the Pacers player, was involved in the brawl. Jones was not among the nine players suspended by the NBA for events during the game.
Other Pacers who could face charges, Manning said, include Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson and David Harrison. Harrison also was not among the players suspended.
"It's a legal matter, and we have no comment," Pacers spokesman Jeff McCoy said Saturday.
A message seeking comment was left Saturday with NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre. When reached by the Free Press for Saturday's story, McIntyre said he had no comment on whether the new allegations would result in more penalties against players.
Artest was suspended without pay for the rest of the season by the NBA. Jackson was suspended for 30 games, and O'Neal for 25. Pacers guard Anthony Johnson got five games. Four players were suspended for a game apiece: Indiana's Reggie Miller and Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman.
Detectives did not interview Ben Wallace, David Wallace or any Pacers players. The Indiana players declined police requests to discuss the incident, Manning said.
Detectives are to present the case to Oakland County prosecutors on Monday. Prosecutor David Gorcyca said his office will "need a couple of days after the final report is submitted ... to review and decide upon the issuance of warrants."
The fight among spectators and players broke out near the end of the game after an on-court dispute over a foul. A fan tossed a drink at Artest, who then charged into the stands and began beating a man he thought had done it.
Gorcyca has said players and fans could be charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. The only possible felony charge under consideration would be against whoever is responsible for throwing a chair into a crowd.
"We are painstakingly reviewing every bit of evidence supplied to our office in an effort to arrive at an appropriate charging decision," Gorcyca said Friday.
John Green, of Oakland County's West Bloomfield Township, is accused of lobbing a cup at Artest, sparking the brawl. Green has been banned from events at The Palace for what the Pistons say is his involvement in the brawl.
Police said they have identified the man who threw the chair, but have not released his name, saying only that he is a 35-year-old Flint-area resident. Several people, including a police officer, were hit with the chair.
Manning said investigators planned to continue trying to identify all fans who entered the court during the fight and those who dumped drinks and debris on players as they exited the floor. Those fans will be charged under a local ordinance that prohibits that kind of behavior at a sporting event, the lieutenant said.