Otsego basketball player no longer facing charge

1/28/2005

BOWLING GREEN - A disorderly conduct charge has been dismissed against an Otsego High School basketball player accused of punching a Woodmore student during a Dec. 3 game at Otsego.

Municipal Court Judge Mark Reddin agreed Wednesday to drop the misdemeanor charge against Jordan Murphy, 18, because he had completed 20 hours of community service at a local church and agreed to pay court costs of $36.

City Prosecutor Matt Reger said he expects a similar resolution in the case against Jeremy Harpel, 17, of Woodville, who is to appear in Wood County Juvenile Court on the same charge Feb. 23.

Investigators said young Harpel, a student at Woodmore, was taunting the Otsego players when Mr. Murphy turned around and punched him. The brief fight was captured by television cameras.