Iti Allowed to Remain at Villa Park
Villa Park High student Martin Iti, who has been ruled ineligible to play basketball for the Spartans, has ended his quest to free himself from his Australian mother’s control.
An attorney who appeared with Iti in Orange County Superior Court on Wednesday said he will not refile a denied petition for emancipation because Iti’s mother has agreed to allow him to remain in Orange County and complete his education at Villa Park.
Judge Stephen J. Sundvold denied the petition Wednesday, but said he would be willing to revisit the issue once additional paperwork was filed.
However, Ronald E. Lais, an attorney representing Iti’s guardian, said he will drop the petition.
“We just decided that this is the best of all worlds,” Lais said. “Martin’s mom is on board and Martin didn’t have to divorce her. He’s happy and she’s happy.”
On Tuesday, Iti said he spoke with his mother, Legine Lovinia Paraita, who told him she had changed her mind since declaring in June that she wanted him to return to Sydney so she could reassess his future. Iti has made four high school transfers since arriving in the United States two years ago to advance his basketball career.
The decision to drop the petition for emancipation came a day after Iti was declared athletically ineligible for one calendar year by Villa Park Principal Fran Roney for allegedly providing false information about his academic status.
Lais said he is in the process of obtaining documents that will clear Iti of any wrongdoing and restore his eligibility.
