Trial set for Pacers guard Jackson
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A judge ordered a Feb. 12 trial for Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who faces charges after allegedly firing a gun during a fight outside a strip club.
Jackson appeared in Marion Superior Court on Wednesday. He has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of criminal recklessness and misdemeanour counts of battery and disorderly conduct. The criminal recklessness charge carries a prison term of six months to three years.
The judge also set the same trial date for Deon Willford, the driver of the car that hit Jackson during the fight on Oct. 6.
Only one trial will take place that day, and the state wants to try Willford first, said David Wyser, chief trial deputy for the Marion County prosecutor's office. Both Jackson and Willford have rejected deals that would have required them to plead guilty to the most serious charges, Wyser said.
Jackson, on probation for his role in the brawl with Detroit Pistons fans two years ago, fired a gun in the air at least five times outside Club Rio, police said.
Jackson originally told police he was punched but later said he was not, prosecutors said. He had stitches in his lip and had scraps and bruises, police said. Jackson's lawyer, James Voyles, has insisted that Jackson acted in self defence.
Willford, 23, is charged with felony counts of criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and a misdemeanour count of driving without a license.
Jackson told police that Quentin Willford, also at the club, started the brawl.
Teammates Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Jimmie Hunter were at the bar but were not charged.
Raymel Mattocks, a friend of Jackson's at the club, was charged with misdemeanour counts of battery, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession. Prosecutors said Mattocks started the fight. His trial was set for Jan. 18.
