BOSTON -- Two Boston College basketball players faced
charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon following a
barroom brawl hours after the Eagles upset No. 10 Connecticut
85-68.
Forward Andrew Bryant, 18, a freshman from Denison, Texas, and
guard Kenny Harley, 22, a senior from New York, were charged early
Thursday at a popular Boston College hangout.
"We're still trying to sort out the facts," Boston College
spokesman Jack Dunn said. "The police report we have received said
they are still not sure how the fight started or who started it ...
We're going to go to the arraignment and listen and try to sort out
the facts."
Mariellen Burns, a Boston police spokeswoman, said a woman told
police the fight began over a dispute about a bar stool she was
saving for her boyfriend.
"An altercation ensued which apparently involved beer
bottles," Burns said.
The players were charged with assault and battery with a
dangerous weapon, a beer bottle.
Brothers Stephen O'Connor, 22, and Michael O'Connor, 23, from
Medfield, Mass., also were charged with assault and battery and being
disorderly. They were treated for cuts.
Burns said witnesses told police the argument began when the
girlfriend of Michael O'Connor, who is a Boston College student,
tried to save a bar stool for him.
A Boston College player then allegedly pushed the woman on the
head. Burns said she didn't know which player had pushed the woman.
"Michael O'Connor got into an argument with this person," she
said. "He was pushed to the ground and kicked. His brother,
Stephen, saw what was happening and attempted to assist him."
Burns said as many as five individuals who were identified by
witnesses as members of the team were involved, but she said she
didn't know if more people would be charged.
She also said it wasn't clear who started the fight: "We don't
know. That's up to the court to sort out," Burns said.
Stephen O'Connor was released on bail; Michael O'Connor remained
in the hospital Thursday with multiple stitches in his head. The
two players were being held in lieu of bail.
Arraignments were scheduled Thursday in Brighton District Court.
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