Ex-Bear Desmond Clark pleads guilty to disorderly conduct after confrontation at son's school
A former Chicago Bears tight end pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct under a plea deal in Lake County court, authorities said Thursday.
Desmond Clark, 39, was sentenced to 90 days' supervision as part of the negotiated plea in front of Judge Brian Hughes, Assistant State's Attorney Michael Ori said. Clark is also required to attend a victim-offender mediation program, Ori said.
A separate case against Clark's wife, Maria Clark, 34, regarding the same incident was dismissed by prosecutors, Ori said.
Defense attorney Jed Stone said, "This brings an end to a troubling story of racial prejudice and insensitivity to racial prejudice in Vernon Hills."
Desmond and Maria Clark were each charged with disorderly conduct after a heated confrontation they had with Vernon Hills High School officials Aug. 29. Maria Clark was also facing assault charges.
The Clarks, who live in Vernon Hills, were arrested on warrants Sept. 11 for the confrontation.
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 told police they were "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 because of a prior school code violation, authorities said.
The Clarks contend the school district was racially biased against their son. After the confrontation, the Clarks led a peaceful protest march from the Vernon Hill Police Department to the high school and also addressed the Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 school board regarding diversity programming.
Stone said he met with Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim regarding the case.
"We're grateful to Mike Nerheim for understanding the race issues in this case and the sensitivity to the Clarks' concerns in the community," he said. "This case is over, but the struggle for racial justice continues."