The Oakland County District Attorney's office indicated that it fully expected to bring criminal charges against players, fans and team employees involved in Friday's riot at the end of the NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. The NBA has already suspended nine players who were involved in the fracus including a season-long ban for the Pacers Ron Artest. It is the longest non-drug related suspension in NBA history.

According to David Gorcyca, the Oakland County Prosecutor, the fan who threw the beer at Artest which started the melee has already been identified from videotapes. The man lives in West Bloomfield, Michigan and has already been in contact with authorities.

A spokesman for the Auburn Hills police department said, 'Once he has an attorney, we anticipate being able to interview him again.' The man had been interviwed on the telephone and admitted to being the man who hit Artest but did not show up at the police station as requested for a personal interview.

'He, I think, precipitated the whole event that transpired in the spectator section,' Gorcyca told WXYZ-TV Sunday. 'I think he's going to be facing some criminal charges.'

Gorcyca said he did expect players to be charged as a result of the brawl. 'I don't want to pinpoint players, but I would say yes. Based upon what I've seen, I believe there will be some charges levied against certain players. Auburn Hills has made contact with the NBA about player interviews, but I suspect very strongly that they will on advice of counsel probably not cooperate with the investigation.'

No time table has been set by the Oakland County DA's office as to when charges would be brought.