Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - Three defendants charged with trying to kill
Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce were acquitted on Monday, while two of the men were convicted on lesser charges.
The defendants -- William Ragland, 30, Trevor Watson, 35, and Anthony Hurston, 33 -- were found innocent of armed assault with intent to murder in the attack, which occurred at a Boston night club on September 25, 2000.
Ragland and Watson were both convicted of assault and battery, while Ragland received an additional conviction of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The jury reached the verdict in its fourth day of deliberations.
"I'm happy this has come to an end," Pierce said. "It was an unfortunate incident for all involved and I am looking forward to putting it behind me and focusing my attention on the upcoming season."
Judge Charles Spurlock had sent jurors home on Friday and instructed them to return Monday morning to continue deliberations.
Last Monday, Pierce was on the stand before court adjourned for the day. He did not describe any details of the incident, in which the Celtics swingman suffered a collapsed lung after he was stabbed eight times and hit over the head with a champagne bottle.
However, the defense maintained that Pierce has never been able to positively identify his attackers. Witnesses have said there were as many as 20 people involved in the melee at the club that night.
Two women had testified before a grand jury, identifying all three defendants 10 days after the stabbing. Both witnesses changed their story, however, after taking the stand during the trial.
Ragland faces up to 10 years in prison for the assault with a dangerous weapon conviction and another 2 1/2 years for the assault and battery. Watson is looking at 2 1/2 years behind bars. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday morning.
Despite being seriously injured in the attack, Pierce led the Celtics in scoring during the 2000-01 campaign with a 25.3 points per game average.
An All-Star last year, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and helped Boston to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 14 years.
