5 students charged as adults in Warren De La Salle hazing case -- what’s next?

Cleveland Harville III becomes fifth player arraigned in football hazing case

WARREN, Mich. – The last adult defendant in the Warren De La Salle football hazing assault case appeared in front of a judge Tuesday, so all five students being charged as adults have now been arraigned.

Cleveland Harville III, 18, was arraigned Tuesday morning in connection with the alleged hazing incident at a team dinner last year.

Ricky Pearson, Sean Bonery, Galiko Lovelace and Michael Young were arraigned Monday. All five players received $1,000 bond, as well as instructions not to have contact with victims.

A pre-trial hearing will be scheduled in the same courthouse, likely for next month. But during arraignments, every defense attorney noted that the defendants in the case are all African-American.

“It’s my contention that there’s a police report that’s 99 pages long that has a lot of names in it,” attorney Paul Addis said. “I just find it amazing that only seven are charged, and they’re all African-American.”

One attorney said a lawsuit would be filed.

“I think, quite honestly, within the next 30 days, my client will demonstrate to this court that he was not a participant in any of the assaultive behavior or allegations that are existing in the criminal proceedings and will thereafter pursue a civil remedy," attorney Greg Rohl said.

A civil suit against De La Salle High School is already in the works. It claims there was racial discrimination because the only students suspended were African-American despite claims that there was also a white student involved in the hazing.

Two juveniles will be charged as minors in the case.


About the Authors:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.