After a week-long investigation, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is recommending Middletown police file a summary charge of harassment against Neshaminy High School teacher and suspended boys’ basketball coach Jerry Devine.
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The single charge, which is a non-traffic citation, was announced during a Tuesday morning press conference by Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler. It should be noted the a press conference for a summary offense is rare. However, most cases involving a summary offense do not gain national spotlight like the Neshaminy incident.
A summary harassment charge is punishable by a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a fine not to exceed $300, according to Heckler.
As of Tuesday at 12:15 p.m., the citation had not yet been filed by police in district court.
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During last Tuesday’s game against Pennsbury, Devine contacted a referee after a disputed call. The referee fell to the ground after Devine’s lunged toward him. The move appeared to be a head-butt, however, that has been disputed by many on social media who have called it a chest bump gone wrong.
Video from the game appears to show Devine being escorted out of the game following the incident with the referee.
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“The atmosphere of this game was very tense,” Neshaminy High School senior Eric Zimmerman, who was in the stands for the game, said shortly after the incident. “Players, spectators and coaches knew this game was gonna be big.”
Devine, a 15-year Neshaminy teacher, will avoid more serious charges like simple assault. Pennsylvania law has a provision that marks alleged assaults against sports officials as a first-degree misdemeanor separate from a regular simple assault charge.
Devine, who teaches emotional support classes and has been praised by former students for his skills in the classroom, remains indefinitely suspended as head coach of the boys’ basketball team. On Tuesday, Neshaminy officials announced Devine’s paid suspension from his teaching job had been lifted and that he could return to the classroom.
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Several Neshaminy sources who have spoke out on the condition they remain unnamed have stated Devine will likely not be allowed to coach again for Neshaminy.
Police interviewed both the referee and Devine during their investigation, which was headed by Detective Aileen Torrente.
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Video of the incident was posted to Twitter by a teenager from Yardley shortly after the Tuesday evening game. A basketball niche website and LevittowNow.com obtained video of the incident, which quickly spread to outlets like ESPN, NBC News and The Los Angeles Times. A second angle of the incident was later posted by Levittown radio station WBCB, which broadcast the game on-air and online.
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Devine and the referee both spoke with attorneys after the incident, sources said. However, LevittownNow.com was not able to get in touch with either one of the men.
“The athletic program at Neshaminy places the values of fair play and sportsmanlike conduct above all. We expect our coaches and staff to teach and uphold those principles, while acting in a professional manner at all times,” a statement issued from Neshaminy last week read.
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Neshaminy boys’ basketball assistant coach John Mason is currently filling Devine’s roll leading the team.
“I think that coach Devine is a great coach and cares about his players a lot,” Zimmerman said. “He is a great individual who got caught up in the moment.”
