JACKSON, MI - Former NFL player and current MSU trustee Mitch Lyons was acquitted of all charges for his role in a post-game dispute after a contentious middle school girls basketball game.
Lyons, who was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery for allegedly shoving referee Kevin Butters, was found not guilty on Monday, May 7, in a bench trial before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren.
"The defendant certainly has a lot to lose by being convicted of a misdemeanor," Klaeren said. "A reasonable argument can be made, why would (Lyons) jeopardize (his) life, (his) standing, (his) reputation over a meaningless game?