Split verdict in 'basketbrawl' trial

XENIA, Ohio (WDTN) - The teenager accused in a basketball game brawl heard a split verdict from a Greene County jury Thursday.

Devon Stidham-Hamilton, 18, was found guilty on a count of assault, but he was found not guilty on a count of felonious assault.

This comes from our partners at the Fairborn Daily Herald.

We're told Hamilton and his family burst into tears when the verdict was read.

Defense Attorney Jay Adams was quoted in the Daily Herald as saying, "We are obviously very happy and pleased. I’ve gotten to know this family and young man. From the time we first became involved, we indicated that there was someone else that created these injuries. We wanted the prosecutor’s office and police to do the due diligence to find out what we knew. It’s a shame it came this far with so much at risk and so much time and money consumed on both sides."

Adams said the felonious assault charge required the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Hamilton caused serious physical harm. Obviously, the jury did not think the state proved it.

The brawl happened during a Fairborn basketball game against Miamisburg in January.

Hamilton was accused of jumping out of the stands and punching a Miamisburg player, causing serious injures to Austin McCoy.