Friday, March 9, 2001
Friday, March 9, 2001 |
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Referee indicted for cutting youth basketball coach
By JOHN
MUNFORD A youth basketball referee accused of cutting a basketball coach during an argument after a game in Fayetteville several weeks ago has been indicted by a Fayette County Grand Jury. Oliver Louis Wood, 46, of Newnan, was indicted for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon on school property. Police said he cut coach Jerry Sweeney on the arm with a three-inch pocketknife during an argument with another coach that Sweeney was trying to break up. The argument broke out after a youth basketball playoff game between two under 8 teams. The basketball association running that tournament met days later and agreed to suspend Sweeney and fellow coach Mike Barfield for the remainder of the season for their actions. The two were allowed to appoint a replacement coach for the team. The Fayette County Youth Basketball Association has indicated it will take steps in the future to prevent similar incidents. Wood has been free since the alleged offense on $55,100 bond. The incident occurred at Spring Hill Elementary in Fayetteville, where Wood had originally disposed of the weapon near a playground before leading police to its location. Wood pastors a church in the Coweta County area and also is a substitute school bus driver.
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