Coach appears to headbutt official

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Rich

If a citizen did the exact same thing to a DA, I guarantee he wouldn't be charged with harassment.

Heh.

[Refk]

So,

I've been reading all of the responses and haven't seen this asked......

What if the official had acted in self defense: put the coach on his tail or defended the push/headbutt or some other reaction. I'm sure all hell would have broken loose and there would be no debate what should happen to the official.

As a martial art instructor for 25 years in 2 different disciplines and a boxing background................ who knows how I would have responded. I hope I would have had restraint but I may not have............................I have an issue with any type of physical assault.

Just my 2 cents

[PAlbc]

Originally Posted by Adam

I can't speak for him, but either that or jail time.

I'm so glad you can be judge and jury from watching a video clip. Maybe some distinct details would change your mind.

1. Official told admins immediately after the game that he fell because of being shocked and not the coach touching him. When asked if the coach did touch him, the response was "barely".
2. DA charged the coach off of the video evidence solely, as there were no physical injuries, complaint filed by the official, or any other physical evidence. If there hadn't been video he probably wouldn't have even been charged with harassment.
3. Despite your disbelief otherwise this is the first incident like this for the coach/teacher.

So the demonstrative move and contact ("barely" is above "none", which means it can't be tolerated) thoroughly warrant the coach fired from coaching. He shouldn't coach again, but that is up to future employers to decide.

That being said it falls far from something warranting losing his teaching job or getting jail time. I understand not wanting anyone to feel like they can do this to officials in the future, but unfortunately you don't get to crucify this coach's life to make that example.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by PAlbc

I'm so glad you can be judge and jury from watching a video clip. Maybe some distinct details would change your mind.

1. Official told admins immediately after the game that he fell because of being shocked and not the coach touching him. When asked if the coach did touch him, the response was "barely".
2. DA charged the coach off of the video evidence solely, as there were no physical injuries, complaint filed by the official, or any other physical evidence. If there hadn't been video he probably wouldn't have even been charged with harassment.
3. Despite your disbelief otherwise this is the first incident like this for the coach/teacher.

So the demonstrative move and contact ("barely" is above "none", which means it can't be tolerated) thoroughly warrant the coach fired from coaching. He shouldn't coach again, but that is up to future employers to decide.

That being said it falls far from something warranting losing his teaching job or getting jail time. I understand not wanting anyone to feel like they can do this to officials in the future, but unfortunately you don't get to crucify this coach's life to make that example.

I'm not judge and jury, I admit that. The DA already did that when he decided not to file assault charges. I'm no DA, so I won't pretend to judge him too harshly. But to consider this behavior anything less than "assault" or even "battery" is laughable. If he's right, the law needs to be changed.

Now I'll address your points.

1. This may take away the battery charge, but not the assault in my view. If a player throws a punch and doesn't connect, it's still fighting. As has been noted, if I threaten to kick your ass, that's classified as assault in most jurisdictions. If, instead of making a verbal threat, I attempt to head butt you, that's still assault even if you manage to avoid all but "barely."

2. The DA taking this lightly (as noted by those who have seen the video) doesn't help this for me, but I'll also note I place some of the blame on how this played out on the official. I know it's his decision whether to press charges, but I think there's an aspect of this that's bigger than this one event. It's his right, but he's doing other officials a disservice, IMO.

3. I never said it wasn't the first "incident." I fully believe that nothing like this has been reported. What I don't believe is that this is the first time he has lost his temper and reacted physically in anger. It may be, I'm just skeptical. More on this when I respond to Smitty in my next post.

As Rich noted above, if someone had done this to a DA or ADA, or a cop, he'd be seeing a lot more than "harassment" charges.

While I'm not all happy with the way this is playing out, I'll acknowledge I'm no where near close enough to the case to know all the details. I also have read up enough on famous "Injustices" to know there are normally details which render them much less of an injustice than people think.

In the end, there's a chance I'll come off the ledge and see the punishment he's received as sufficient. No guarantees, though.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by PAlbc

I'm so glad you can be judge and jury from watching a video clip. Maybe some distinct details would change your mind.

1. Official told admins immediately after the game that he fell because of being shocked and not the coach touching him. When asked if the coach did touch him, the response was "barely".
2. DA charged the coach off of the video evidence solely, as there were no physical injuries, complaint filed by the official, or any other physical evidence. If there hadn't been video he probably wouldn't have even been charged with harassment.
3. Despite your disbelief otherwise this is the first incident like this for the coach/teacher.

So the demonstrative move and contact ("barely" is above "none", which means it can't be tolerated) thoroughly warrant the coach fired from coaching. He shouldn't coach again, but that is up to future employers to decide.

That being said it falls far from something warranting losing his teaching job or getting jail time. I understand not wanting anyone to feel like they can do this to officials in the future, but unfortunately you don't get to crucify this coach's life to make that example.

I saw the video. That's enough for me.

The victim should never have input on what charges are filed. Either it's a crime or not a crime and there were enough witnesses (including the film) to see what happened.

And I'll say this again -- I'm perfectly satisfied with the harassment charge -- provided that this would be the charge had the coach did this to ANYONE ELSE -- including the DA, police, a judge, etc. You think that would be the case?