From: Grand Forks Herald by Archie Ingersoll
Prosecutors have opted not to file criminal charges against an Oslo, Minn., man involved in an altercation outside the Ralph Engelstad Arena that left another man with a fractured skull, Grand Forks County Assistant State’s Attorney Nancy Yon said Monday. The incident occurred after a University of North Dakota hockey game.
“When I look at the evidence, all I can say is that I think there’s not evidence for me to proceed with criminal charges,” Yon said.
After the Oct. 16 UND-Minnesota men’s hockey game, Peter Chwialkowski, 28, was arrested at the scene of the scuffle on suspicion he punched 34-year-old Jason Smith, who hit his head on the ground, suffering injuries to his skull that required the insertion of plates and 65 screws.
Explaining why the state’s attorney’s office did not announce a decision on whether to file charges until Monday, Yon said prosecutors had the time-consuming task of sorting through statements from about 20 people who witnessed the fight. Prosecutors also had to wait to receive word on Smith’s medical condition, get his medical records and determine if he could be interviewed, she said.
Yon said that because of Smith’s medical treatments, investigators were not able to interview him. She said Chwialkowski, the sole person prosecutors considered charging in the incident, cooperated with several interviews.
Yon said that, at this point, unless new evidence is revealed, the case is closed. (read rest of article)
“When I look at the evidence, all I can say is that I think there’s not evidence for me to proceed with criminal charges,” Yon said.
After the Oct. 16 UND-Minnesota men’s hockey game, Peter Chwialkowski, 28, was arrested at the scene of the scuffle on suspicion he punched 34-year-old Jason Smith, who hit his head on the ground, suffering injuries to his skull that required the insertion of plates and 65 screws.
Explaining why the state’s attorney’s office did not announce a decision on whether to file charges until Monday, Yon said prosecutors had the time-consuming task of sorting through statements from about 20 people who witnessed the fight. Prosecutors also had to wait to receive word on Smith’s medical condition, get his medical records and determine if he could be interviewed, she said.
Yon said that because of Smith’s medical treatments, investigators were not able to interview him. She said Chwialkowski, the sole person prosecutors considered charging in the incident, cooperated with several interviews.
Yon said that, at this point, unless new evidence is revealed, the case is closed. (read rest of article)
13 comments:
I don't want to register for this crap newspaper for the maybe two articles a year you post that are worth reading... anyway to just post the whole article next time?
disregard... I found it elsewhere:
http://www.dl-online.com/event/article/id/49135/group/home/ (for those who don't want to register)
Has anyone heard that all three refs in the UND-DU series have been reprimanded for bias towards UND? My wife has friends from the UND side that say it is so. Any confirmation? GO PIOS
There were four refs during the weekend series against UND.
Hearing about WCHA ref reprimands is a hit or miss proposition. I'll see if I can find out anything.
DG, apparently the morning show here in Grand Forks Tim and Swig said it on their morning drive talks show in Grand Forks, ND on KKXL 1440 AM.
According to Brad Schlossman's UND blog no refs were suspended although it is a rumor going around.
http://www.areavoices.com/undhockey/?page=comments&blog=64687
The one guy that put the information out is the radio voice of the Sioux.
I find it hard to believe that the league would actually suspend any refs, unless they cost a team a game based on awarding some phantom goal or something.
They may decide not to work a certain pair, but they always have to decide on at least a few refs to not work on most weekends.
Also, I am just amazed that you can crack a noggin at The Ralph without fear of prosecution. Definitely hostile and abusive....
I meant to say bias towards DU... but I haven't heard any further news. B.S. really... it was a great series!
Real insightful, Justin. You're right it was a great series. Do you really believe that the WCHA is going to publicly reprimand anyone with the shit storm they have had to start the yr. Face it, Mcleod and Shepherd are both a joke. The game was not decided by the refs on Sat. night,but they certainly influenced the outcome with 6 in a row going against UND. However, even a DU fan has to admit that the refs completely changed the game with the calls in beginning of the 2nd period. This is the same thing that happened in GFK last yr to DU before Gwoz did his dance around the rink. Please, DU fans show some hockey sense and take of your Boone blinders.
“I am just amazed that you can crack a noggin at The Ralph without fear of prosecution. Definitely hostile and abusive....”
What have we learned: don’t throw punches at pregnant women. Jason Smith is a loser not a victim.
I think DU fans know that 6 penalties called on one team in a row is highly unusual in this era of makeup calls and evening-up the scoresheets. If those 6 in a row were called on the Pios, we'd probably be howling just like the Sioux fans are.
After Friday's game, the officials decided to call a much tighter game on Saturday. For the most part, DU adjusted to the tighter standard, while UND didn't. That's not to say DU didn't deserve some penalties during that stretch of penalties on UND, but clearly, teams need to be aware and tighten up the discipline when you get three or four penalties in a row.
The big problem problem is not so much perception of bias, but consistency in the application of the rules. There just should not be a big jump in tightness of officiating from one game to another.
Hextall's goonish behavior cost his team any chance at winning the game. Doesn't matter if it was the 1st or the 6th straight penalty against UND. It wasn't the Ref's fault Hextall went after Chevy. Six in a row. So what is the Ref supposed to do? Look the other way after 5? After 3? Call some ticky tack call against DU to even everything up? Maybe something like the 1st penalty against DU in the Saturday night game? Why not call the penalty that is right in front of him. Hmm, that's what they did. Seems fair to me. It's not about evening up the penalty minutes by having to make up calls. Swami, that has to be the stupidest argument I've ever heard.
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