Duckett attack suspects likely to face ethnic-intimidation charges

IONIA, MICHIGAN - The Ionia, Michigan, County sheriff said state ethnic-intimidation charges will likely be filed against the men suspected of attacking former Michigan State University football star T.J. Duckett. <br> <br> Duckett, now a rookie running back with the Atlanta Falcons, said his alleged attackers used racial slurs. Duckett is black. <br> <br> Unlike straightforward assault cases, ethnic-intimidation charges require that those who utter slurs do so to intimidate their victims. <br> <br> Sheriff Dwain Dennis told The Grand Rapids Press, ``I know it&#39;s a little more complicated than simply addressing a person by their ethnicity.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The Ionia County prosecutor&#39;s office is reviewing the sheriff&#39;s report on the alleged attack. Duckett said at least two men tried to push him off a footbridge following a Nelly concert at the Greater Ionia Fair on July 23rd. <br> <br> Duckett said he was also struck in the face with a bottle and lost a tooth. Police said the attack ended when he defended himself. <br> <br> Michigan&#39;s ethnic-intimidation law took effect in 1989 and makes it a felony to maliciously intimidate or harass another person because of race, religion, gender or national origin. A conviction is punishable by up to two years in prison. <br> <br> No arrests have been made in the Duckett case, although the sheriff&#39;s department has identified two suspects and a third man who might have been involved. <br> <br> He declined to release the suspects&#39; names until they are arraigned. The sheriff said arrest warrants are expected to be issued soon.