Coach’s Lawyer Protests Ruling

Inglewood City Atty. Howard Rosten’s decision not to prosecute Inglewood High School Principal Lawrence Freeman was criticized this week by the lawyer for Vincent Combs, the basketball coach who had an altercation with the principal last month.

Combs’ lawyer, attorney Laurence B. Labovitz, said in a letter to Rosten that his decision not to file charges against Freeman “makes a mockery of the criminal justice system” and demonstrates that “political cronyism” exists in Inglewood.

“I have no doubts that your office would have swiftly and zealously prosecuted Mr. Combs to the hilt for this type of brutal and unprovoked behavior,” Labovitz wrote.

The altercation occurred June 6 when Freeman reprimanded Combs in the principal’s office for not following his order to buy trophies for team members. After Freeman ordered Combs out of his office, the coach stood in the doorway and Freeman repeatedly pushed the door against him, according to witnesses.

Rosten referred the case to the school district’s disciplinary system, which cannot act on the matter until after summer vacation. Rosten, who said he might reconsider the case in the future if the school district does not act, declined to comment on Labovitz’s charges.