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Ithiel Horton’s Case to be Continued on January 19

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PITTSBURGH — On Thursday, at Pitt guard Ithiel Horton’s preliminary hearing, the judge announced that the case will be continued on January 19.

”We are extremely disappointed and frustrated,” Horton’s attorney Phil DiLucente told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “My client was simply exercising his constitutional rights of free speech, he was exercising his freedom of expression, albeit, one could argue with language that would offend some, however, that language did not arise to the level of a threat in any form whatsoever. The situation could have very easily been deescalated and instead was escalated.”

Horton was arrested on Nov. 6 and is facing charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and public drunkenness after an alleged physical encounter with a police officer.

Police were called to the scene around 1 a.m., when Horton was in a dispute with a tow truck operator who was towing his vehicle on the South Side. Police then accused Horton of striking an officer in the face and causing his lip to bleed before fleeing the scene on foot.

”The reports that he hit a woman presumed to the criminal complaint are untrue,” DiLucente added. “The alleged male victim is an officer who had his lip allegedly cut.”

”Just because someone expressed their freedom of speech rights in perhaps a derogatory manner, does not permit officers to attempt to arrest someone when that is the initiation of the arrest,” he continued. “There was no threatening language.”

Horton’s attorney plead for the earliest date possible, stating multiple times that Horton was a scholarship athlete and a student at Pitt, and that due to this continuance he would miss more games.

“We are frustrated today because he is sickened because of these charges.” DiLucente continued. “He is disappointed that he can’t be with his team and the earliest we’re able to have a date scheduled is January 19th. But with that said, we will be prepared to go forward due to the fact that in my 20-year career, less than a handful of times I can remember that an offer to have this matter resolved when a male officer is the alleged victim cannot be resolved.”

”I wanted to have it next week if possible so that we could get this young man who is a very nice, good family man back on the court to support his teammates. But more importantly than that, this also is hanging over his head and could potentially affect his studies.”

The January hearing will be held on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Rob Radich
Rob Radich
2 years ago

Show him the door. Then show it to Capel

Katman
Katman
2 years ago

Don’t hit a cop you degenerate, you wouldn’t be in trouble. Not everyone cares you can play basketball. Trying to play the victim……imagine that

David Gerlach
David Gerlach
2 years ago
Reply to  Katman

Trying to play the victim, you are exactly correct. No one takes responsibility for their actions. Be a man Mr. Horton admit you made a mistake and then move on with your life as a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.

TRW
TRW
2 years ago

Being angry and loud is not a cause for arrest, this is why these situations escalate and why people feel they don’t get fair treatment.

Similarly, plenty of court cases include statements that the accused has a business that employees many people, and they need to focus on their job. A surprising number are accepted and cases expedited, the same applies for athletes.

Joe Bunda
Joe Bunda
2 years ago

“someone expressed their freedom of speech rights” by smashing a cell phone into the face of a city policeman and “we are frustrated today because he is sickened because of these charges. However, that language did not arise to the level of a threat in any form whatsoever.” Okay, I’m glad that has been clarified. . . now I understand that there was no threat in any form, well until someone’s client client smashed a cell phone into the face of a city policeman. Here’s the best part: “The situation could have very easily been deescalated and instead was escalated”… Read more »

Dave
Dave
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe Bunda

yeah, sounds like he said something to a cop that the cop didn’t like and then physically resisted an arrest that wasn’t warranted.

NarLoser
NarLoser
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe Bunda

When Did He Smash The The Phone Into The Face Of A Policeman??

Mtgj
Mtgj
2 years ago

I had my car towed multiple times in college. It infuriated me every time. If I saw the car getting towed I would have also plead with the driver to stop the tow, but that’s when it ends. I’m sure ithiel feels embolden because he is a pitt basketball player. He had so much too lose, it’s a shame that he let his ego get the best of him. No matter how angry he was it’s just not worth it to do what he did. I’m sure he will learn from this, unfortunately it’s probably to late for his pitt… Read more »

Dave
Dave
2 years ago

Sounds like he called the cop an asshole, the cop then tried to arrest him for calling him an asshole which is bull shit and he then resisted arrest and must’ve split the cop’s lip. Pretty sure most people would’ve received a ticket.

NarLoser
NarLoser
2 years ago
Reply to  Dave

The Cop Got Butthurt And Escalated The Situation. Nobody Will Ever Know What Really Happened Unless It Was Caught On Video.

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