School fight trial delayed for former Chicago Bear
A trial has been continued against a former Chicago Bears tight end accused last August of cursing and repeatedly using a racial slur during an argument with administrators in the lobby of Vernon Hills High School.
Jed Stone, the attorney for Desmond Clark, 39, told Judge Brian Hughes in court the delay was to speak with Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim regarding a possible resolution to the case. Stone said Clark was willing to plead guilty to a class C misdemeanor, but only if prosecutors would drop charges against Clark's wife, Maria.
Desmond and Maria Clark, 34, are each charged with disorderly conduct for a heated confrontation they had with school officials. Maria Clark also faces assault charges.
Stone said Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Feldman was not willing to drop the charges against Maria Clark, so he wanted to have his own conference with Nerheim to avoid trial. Nerheim was unavailable to meet Monday, Stone said.
If the deal is agreed to, Desmond Clark would receive 90 days supervision and a court fine, Stone said.
If approved by Nerheim, it would be the second case prosecutors have dismissed a case against Maria Clark this month. She was charged with two counts of battery for an earlier altercation she had at a retail store. Prosecutors dismissed the battery charges against her April 4.
The Clarks, who live in Vernon Hills, were arrested on warrants Sept. 11 for the high school incident.
They are accused of cursing and using racially charged language during the Aug. 29 confrontation with school officials, authorities said. The dispute was witnessed by several people and captured on video, according to a police report the Daily Herald acquired through the Freedom of Information Act. One school employee was "shocked and terrified," according to the report.
The confrontation was prompted by an administrative decision to not allow the Clarks' son to participate in a talent show due to a prior school code violation, authorities said. .
Since the altercation, the Clarks have contended the school district has been racially biased against their son. They have led a peaceful protest march from the Vernon Hill Police Department to the high school, and addressed the Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 school board regarding diversity programming.
The two sides are due back in court April 27.