MPR News Feature; Forbes hockey player charged with aggrevated assault

Ruins hockey player Forbes allegedly used his stick to strike Minnesota north star player Henry Boucher in the eye in a fight during the January 4th game between the two clubs in Minnesota an open county attorney Gary flack may decided to prosecute Forbes on the charge of aggravated assault in Minnesota. That charge carries a penalty of five years in prison and or a $5000 fine. The two week trial has drawn national attention from hockey officials and others associated with professional sports because it's the first time in this country that a professional athlete has been tried for events occurring during a competitive event. The prosecution attempted to show that Forbes used his hockey stick as a dangerous weapon in the fight. For its part the defense led by Minneapolis attorney Ron mesh basher has tried to show that hockey is a violent game laced with numerous injuries and that players have been schooled in that attitude from an early age. The defense has also argued that during the same game two other players both Boston Bruins hockey players received eye injuries from hockey sticks in final arguments today prosecutor flatly said that a crime is a crime no matter where it occurs and he said that Forbes

deliberately attacked the North Star as player without provocation and with the intent of doing bodily harm. Defense attorney mesh mesure argued that if the law is to be administered fairly to all then the county prosecutor may as well close down his office to other cases and devote all his time to prosecuting cases arising from competitive athletic events. Mesh pressure says that he does not condone the violence in hockey but he said that's the system and it's the responsibility of the legislature or the National Hockey League to change it not the courts. The case then went to the five women seven men Minneapolis jury. I'm Dan Olson.