Two more charges filed in Carmel case

DANVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - Two more charges were filed Monday in connection with the Carmel High School basketball team assault case. This on the same day that one of the four former Carmel basketball players pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in a related incident in the Carmel High School locker room.

Ex-players Brandon Hoge and Robert Kitzinger both face misdemeanor battery charges in Hendricks County for a Jan. 22 incident on board the team bus.

According to the probable cause document released by the Hendricks County prosecutor, the victim “reported he was called to the back of the bus, and then grabbed and pushed down. He felt a hand go into his ‘butt’ and also that Robert Kitzinger sat on his head.”

The document goes on to say “several other persons on the bus reported that they saw Robert Kitzinger and Brandon Hoge holding (the victim) and touching his butt. Reports of other students on the bus vary on what they observed, from tickling to attempts to pull off (the victim’s) pants to hands place down the pants (of the victim.)”

Charges stemming from this particular incident were originally filed in Hamilton County but were dropped when it was determined that the alleged crimes were committed in Hendricks County.

Kitzinger has an initial court hearing scheduled on December 30, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. And, Hoge has set a plea hearing on January 5, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.

Allegations of bullying and assault surfaced in February.

On Monday, Robert Kitzinger appeared in court for a plea hearing and sentencing. While the victim was not in court, his parents were. They heard Kitzinger apologize for his actions saying he, "did not think it was dangerous or wrong." He went on to say that he learned from his actions and is working to change his life.

While in court Kitzinger's attorney, Bruce Boje, stated that Kitzinger has already been punished for his actions by losing tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarships and even a job after the publicity of the case. Kitzinger pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal recklessness and in return was sentenced to a suspended jail sentence, probation and community service.

While court proceedings went smoothly, afterward, Kitzinger's father made an unwelcome comment to the victim's mother. According to Sheronda Davis, Kitzinger's father told her the cameras (referring to local news crews) were waiting for her outside the courtroom. Rickey Davis, Sheronda's husband and the victim's father, said this was uncalled for and that his family never wanted the media attention. Davis said that he simply wanted justice for his son.