A federal jury on Thursday dismissed a civil
lawsuit by a man who claimed Indiana forward Jermaine O'Neal
permanently injured him during the notorious 2004 brawl between
Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans at The Palace of Auburn
Hills.
Charles Haddad, 23, alleged O'Neal's punch to his head caused him
to suffer migraine, memory loss, trouble sleeping, inability to
socialize, and aversion to bright lights and loud noises.
The defence presented evidence that Haddad flew to Las Vegas the
day after the Nov. 19, 2004, brawl and had been a regular visitor to
the gambling mecca ever since.
The U.S. District Court jury determined that O'Neal did strike
Haddad but the punch was justified because O'Neal was acting to
protect his teammates.
``It became an extremely scary and unbelievable situation,''
O'Neal testified last week.
Haddad was charged with violating a local ordinance against
entering a performance space. He pleaded no contest last year and
was sentenced to probation and community service.
