Ref found guilty of assault after fight between games

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Southeast Missouri basketball referee was found guilty of third-degree assault Thursday and will be sentenced Dec. 18.

Michael Clark of Puxico could be sentenced to up to a year in jail or fined $1,000 after he and Cape Girardeau referee Tim Heuring had a physical altercation on Jan. 10 between junior varsity and varsity games of the Scott-Mississippi Tournament at Scott County Central High near Morley.

The case was heard in Mississippi County on a change of venue.

Paul Boyd, Scott County prosecuting attorney, said Heuring ended up with a laceration to the left temple and bruises on his chest and abdomen. He said Clark received no injuries.

Heuring said he needed seven or eight stitches and passed blood for a week after being kicked in the ribs.

There were no witnesses to the fight, but Boyd said there was an argument because Heuring officiated the University High Christmas Tournament after the Cape Girardeau Officials Association he belonged to decided to boycott the event.

Heuring said he had a $3,000 hospital bill from the beating.

"It was not a personal thing," Heuring said. "I refereed with him the month before. He was an association member and upset and angry. He lost his temper and that's exactly what the judge said."

Heuring said he lost several opportunities to call games last year because of the boycott and news reports about the fight. He apologized Thursday to the other referees and coaches who were called to testify in the case and thanked the Scott County prosecuting attorney's office.

John Scott, Clark's lawyer, said Clark had no prior run-ins with the law.

"Mike has maintained and I maintain that he acted in self-defense and he was jumped by Heuring after they had their argument," Scott said. "It's correct that Heuring had more injuries than my client did and that's probably what the judge probably looked at. But really, it was more of a short scuffle than anything."

Heuring was one of four association members who officiated the U-High tournament. The referees were upset with tournament organizers who made the decision to hire two referees for each game instead of three.