Police Interview Fans From Brawl

Investigators interviewed nine people injured in the brawl at the end of the Detroit Piston-Indiana Pacer game, but no charges were imminent in the case, a county prosecutor said Monday.

Police were also reviewing videotapes and interviewing witnesses from Friday night’s melee, when Indiana forward Ron Artest charged into the stands after a fan struck him with a cup of liquid.

If charges are filed, they probably would be for assault and battery, a misdemeanor that could bring a three-month jail sentence, said David Gorcyca, the Oakland County prosecutor. The only possible felony charge could be against the person who hurled a chair into the crowd.

Police Chief Doreen Olko said none of the people involved was seriously injured.

John Green of West Bloomfield Township was the fan who threw the cup at Artest, Gorcyca said. The prosecutor identified Green -- a former next-door neighbor -- by repeatedly watching footage of the brawl. He said footage showed that once Artest was in the stands, Green grabbed him from behind and sucker-punched him.

Green, however, told reporters he didn’t throw the cup.

“I wish the whole thing didn’t happen,” he said. “I’m sure the NBA players that got involved in it wish it never happened, the fans never wished that it had happened. I know I don’t. It was awful, it was ugly.”

Piston Chief Executive Tom Wilson said Green would be banned from the Palace.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s Ben Wallace said he would not appeal the six-game suspension the NBA gave him for his involvement.

“When things like that happen, you’ve got to protect the league,” he said. “You can’t have guys going out reacting the way we did.”