Two Niagara players reject plea deal, ready for court

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) -- Two members of the Niagara University men's basketball team, accused of assault on a Niagara baseball player, rejected plea deals Monday in Niagara Falls City Court.

Charron Fisher and Stanley Hodge face charges of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct after an incident outside a Niagara Falls bar Aug. 31.

They are accused of attacking Jeffrey St. Denis, a pitcher on the Niagara baseball team. St. Denis suffered a concussion and bruised ribs, among other injuries.

Hodge rejected a plea to a reduced charge of harassment. Fisher, who was Niagara's leading scorer last season, rejected a plea on a misdemeanor charge of attempted assault.

Arguments in both cases will be heard Nov. 14.

"We're not willing to accept the deal; it's a criminal conviction," said Robert Viola, Fisher's attorney. "Based on my understanding, there was no crime."

Two other Niagara players at the scene of the incident, Kamau Gordon and Javonte Clanton, were sentenced to 30 hours of community service as part of an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal on charges of disorderly conduct.

A fifth player, Lorenzo Miles, had his charge of disorderly conduct dismissed.

All five players recently were given suspensions ranging from eight games to one.

Niagara does not plan to change them. "I don't think there's any question their conduct was not good," Niagara Athletics Director Ed McLaughlin said after court Monday.

Niagara will open its season at home against Binghamton on Nov. 16.

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