Police Make Decision on Charges for Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman will not face charges pertaining to the an alleged altercation at his son's high school wrestling match in Indiana on Jan. 3.
Freeman was accused of battery by Chris Fleeger, an assistant wrestling coach at New Prairie High School, in a police report filed last week. However, following an investigation by authorities, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office has declined to press charges.
Video evidence indicates no 'violent physical contact'
Fleeger had claimed that during a confrontation with Freeman following his son's wrestling match, the 40-year-old head coach had struck him.
However, prosecutors said Monday that video evidence does not support that assertion.
"The video shows that while Mr. Freeman’s right arm is not fully visible, his left hand remained in a pocket during the interaction between the Complainant and Mr. Freeman," said Brandi Miller, the director of media relations and special projects for the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office, via TMZ.
"The head and body movements of both the Complainant and Mr. Freeman do not support the supposition that any violent physical contact occurred."
Miller conceded that some type of contact may have taken place, but added that based on evidential review, prosecutors "would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred."
Notre Dame stands by its man
When news broke Sunday of the police report and investigation, Notre Dame immediately released a statement in support of Freeman.
“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” the Notre Dame statement read. “Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation. At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone.
“We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are totally unfounded.”