Holy Family Coach Won't Face Charges In Violent Practice Incident
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia District Attorney's office has announced no charges will be filed against the Holy Family University basketball coach caught on tape mixing it up with a player during practice.
The decision came just hours after a joint appearance by the coach and player on national television.
Tasha Jamerson, a spokeswoman with the DA's office, said the evidence was reviewed, including the videotape, and it doesn't support criminal charges against coach John O'Connor.
Attorney Jack Cohen says the video shows O'Connor knocking 19-year-old sophomore Matthew Kravchuk to the ground, then kicking him while he was down, leaving Kravchuk's mouth and nose bleeding. Kravchuk also says he suffered a wrist injury during the incident.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, both men appeared on ABC's Good Morning America to talk about the incident.
Flanked by attorneys, O'Connor and Kravcuk answered questions and each gave his side of the story.
"Matt, this was an accident. You know, I was just trying to make us a better team, make us more competitive. It was unintentional by me. If I could take it back, I certainly would," O'Connor said to Kravchuk.
The apology wasn't good enough for Kravchuk, who filed a complaint to police after he says the university did nothing.
"To be honest, it's kind of hard to accept your apology just because you claim it's justified and you claim you weren't crossing the line. And I can't play for you anymore just because as your player, I'm supposed to be able to respect you and I don't feel I can do that anymore," Kravchuk said.
Holy Family University says the incident is under investigation.
Watch the video...
Reported by Tony Hanson; Mike Dougherty, KYW Newsradio
