Criminal Justice And Sports
Criminal Justice and Sports
Blindsided Attack
Brett Yvon
CRJ100
4/4/05
On the night of March 8, 2004, the Vancouver Canucks were playing the Colorado Avalanche in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. During the game, Todd Bertuzzi (Vancouver Canucks) slugged Steve Moore (Colorado Avalanche) in the back of his head and drove his face into the ice. Steve Moore was hospitalized with three fractured vertebrae, facial cuts, post-concussion symptoms and amnesia. Todd Bertuzzi was charged with assault on June 24, 2004 and was suspended indefinitely by the National Hockey League, missing the last 13 regular-season games and seven post-season games and losing nearly $502,000 in salary.
Bertuzzi's trial for assault charges was set for January 17, 2005. Bertuzzi faces a maximum sentence of 18 months if convicted. Bertuzzi also could face a possible civil action from Moore, who has hired Toronto lawyer Tim Danson. Bertuzzi appeared in court for 10 minutes and did not speak to any reporters as he left with his wife in a limousine. His four words in court- "Not guilty, your honor" - were his first public words since March when he tearfully apologized for his actions. Bertuzzi's public statement was an apology two nights after the game. "Steve, I just want to apologize for what happened out there," he said at the time. "I had no intention of hurting you. I feel awful for what transpired." "I don't play the game that way," he added. "I'm not a mean-spirited person. I'm sorry for what happened." I watched ESPN Sportcenter when Bertuzzi was on television apologizing for his actions. What he did was a disgusting act, but I do believe he is sorry for his actions, and I know he did not mean for any of this to happen. I play hockey, and when emotions are running high anything is possible in a dangerous sport like hockey. The punch was witnessed by more than 18,000 people at the arena and has been shown repeatedly in...
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