All charges against a Sharon man accused of assaulting police officers during a brawl at a basketball game were waived to court Thursday without testimony.

Attorney Roland Jarvis of Philadelphia acknowledged that there was a "prima facie" case against his client, Jesse J. "J.J." Wilson, 20, of 709 Sherman Ave. Wilson will appear before a Mercer County Common Pleas Court judge.

A prima facie case means the evidence is enough to show that a crime was committee and the defendant may have been involved.

Wilson is charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a police officer, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, rioting and disorderly conduct. Police say Wilson participated in the brawl that erupted Feb. 2 in the Sharon High School gymnasium during a game with Farrell High School.

Jarvis asked if it was possible to schedule Wilson's hearing in Mercer County Common Pleas Court between March 18 and 22 because Wilson -- a strong safety for the University of Cincinnati's football team -- will be on spring break during that week.

Mercer County District Attorney James Epstein said he doesn't see a problem with scheduling the hearing during Wilson's break.

Outside the courtroom, Jarvis said Wilson is doing well in school and is looking forward to putting the incident behind him.

It's still unclear as to how the fight in the stands started but it escalated quickly. Police estimate that anywhere between 70 to 100 spectators, mostly juveniles, were involved in the melee. Policemen who were already at the event for security purposes were pushed, punched and kicked. Some people even grabbed at the policemen's guns.

So far, Wilson is the only person charged in the fracas. Any juveniles involved in the fight will be charged in juvenile court at the same time, police said. Police can't say when the on-going investigation will be complete.

Sixteen people were treated at area hospitals following the incident.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at

kgarrett@sharon-herald.com