Saturday, April 20, 2013

New Mexico coach Craig Neal's wife accused of battery

Newly hired New Mexico basketball coach Craig Neal is already dealing with off court issues but it doesn't involve any of his players. Neal's wife Janet has been accused of battery for allegedly grabbing a school official after one of her son's high school basketball games, police reports and the district attorney's office confirm.

This is the same high school team their son Cullen plays for, who will be attending New Mexico on a basketball scholarship after being released by St. Mary's.

 Eldorado High School assistant principal Susan Stanojevic told police that after a Feb. 21 game, Janet Neal "lunged at me and aggressively grabbed my left arm, yanking me to face her," according to an Albuquerque Police Department report. "At the same time, she put her face close to mine and in an angry, loud voice, stated, 'the next time you want to accuse me of using profanity at a basketball game, you need to talk to me first.'"

Mrs. Neal had been accusesd of yelling profanities and verbally abusing the referees following a game that involved her son.

 The case was referred to the Bernalillo County district attorney as battery on a school employee, a fourth-degree felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 18 months, and is under review, according to spokeswoman Kayla Anderson.

Following the initial confrontation, Albuquerque Public Schools officers asked Neal to leave the area, but she resisted, reports show.

"I then advised (Mrs.) Neal she could leave in handcuffs or on her own. That was up to her," community service officer L.G. Valenzuela said in his report.

In a supplementary report by APD investigator officer Christian Baker, Neal said that she "did not grab Susan forcefully nor did she threaten her."

Janet Neal has denied allegations to police and her attorney.

I feel this could've been handled differently unless Mrs. Neal is so intimidating that the cops had to be called in. On the other hand Mrs. Neal sounds worse than some of the fathers out there who get a little too involved with their kids' sports teams.

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