Fannin Juvenile Court Rules on Case Involving Pickens County Player Assault Charge during Winter Fannin vs. Pickens Game

Last Friday (July 18) afternoon, a Fannin County Juvenile Court Judge ruled that a Pickens County Middle School boy committed both assault and battery against a Fannin player during a Pickens vs. Fannin game.The court did not rule that the child committed “obstruction against an officer” (a School Resource Officer).

The assault event was preceded by mayhem some witness say was initiated by racial slurs yelled from adult spectators favoring the Fannin team.

The Pickens child (of black racial descent) received a great deal of public support from his team and Picken’s area residents throughout the trial.

According to Appalachian Circuit District Attorney, Alison Sosbee, 50 witnesses were called to testify (mostly spectators who viewed the event) in the visitor- restricted court room. Evidence viewed in the case included a videotape submitted by the Fannin County School System.

Sosbee added:

Organized sports provide our children with so many benefits beyond physical exercise- they are fun, give our kids confidence and provide a sense of community-and I find it tragic that an event like this happened at a middle school basketball game.

Below is the press release issued by Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee: