The Griffith Police Department has asked the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office to consider charges against the Griffith High School and Hammond High School basketball teams for their roles in the February brawl that made national news.
Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance said Thursday that the department offered both schools a deferment program that would have required the players to attend a “productive and educational half-day experience.” The proposal was rejected by both schools.
“We are disappointed that this proposition was rejected,” Mance said. “Consequently, I reviewed and analyzed all of the evidence available and moved forward with providing the prosecutor’s office with the charges that fit with the evidence in the case.
“The school has to respond to violations, and the police have the responsibility to respond to potential violations of the law.”
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office will decide whether it moves forward on the charges, Mance said.
Griffith Public Schools Superintendent Peter Morikis said the administration will release a statement and referred all further questions to school attorney Rhett Tauber. Tauber and Hammond High School attorney Mike Jasaitis released a joint statement.
“We were advised by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office that no charges would be brought against any of the student-athletes involved in the February 7, 2015, incident, which we understand was also communicated to the Chief of Police in Griffith. Thus, any alternative proposal became moot,” the release said. “Therefore, we anticipate that the recommendations brought will be examined and rejected accordingly.”
Town Council President Rick Ryfa said Mance told the council during its study session after Tuesday’s council meeting that the deferment program appeared to have been rejected. While the council is disappointed as well, the council bears no influence on the situation.
“The chief told us awhile back that (the schools) were offered a deferment program. Otherwise, the department isn’t required to check in with us before they take action. This is a police matter, and we have not, and will not, interfere in any way,” he said.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association canceled the remainder of the 2014-15 boys basketball season as well as forfeited all games at all levels for both schools because of the Feb. 7 fight stemming from a hard foul from behind on Griffith’s Anthony Murphy by Hammond’s Tim Echoles. Murphy slammed into the mat behind the basket with 5:32 left in the first quarter and Griffith leading 4-0.
Fans spilled onto the floor, and players from both teams started fighting each other before officials canceled the game.
Both teams appealed the IHSAA ruling, and Lake Superior Court Judge John Pera granted a temporary restraining order, calling the ruling “arbitrary and capricious.”
Post-Tribune sports writer Mike Hutton contributed to this report. Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter.
