Tinsley, Daniels surrender to police following indictment

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley and teammate Marquis Daniels surrendered to police early Thursday, hours after being charged in a Feb. 6 bar fight.

Tinsley and Daniels played in the Pacers' 136-129 double-overtime victory against Milwaukee on Wednesday night, then surrendered to police in downtown Indianapolis about 12:15 a.m., said Capt. Dave Wilkes.

They were expected to appear before a judge overnight for an initial hearing at which a court date would be set.

Earlier in the day, Marion County grand jury indicted Tinsley on a felony charge of intimidation and misdemeanor counts of battery, disorderly conduct and intimidation for the fight at 8 Seconds Saloon, said Matthew Symons, spokesman for the Marion County prosecutor.

Daniels was charged with battery and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.

Lawyers for both players said they would enter pleas of not guilty to the charges.

"My client is telling me that he's innocent. That he did nothing that night, and plans on maintaining his innocence throughout these proceedings and hopefully it will work out like it's supposed to," Daniel's attorney, Ralph Staples, said during a halftime news conference.

"When there's an allegation that is made, that's what it is -- an allegation," said Jim Voyles, Tinsley's attorney. "There's a presumption of innocence in this country that seems to be lost sometimes, and I want you all to remember and everyone who watches these programs to remember."

That theme also was reiterated in a statement issued by the Pacers.

"In our system of justice, grand juries do not find anyone guilty of anything," the statement said. "We need to give the process time to treat everyone fairly and reach a just result."

No one was immediately arrested or charged after the fight, which happened hours after a home loss to Golden State. Instead, a grand jury was convened to examine the evidence and decide whether charges should be filed.

According to the police report, the bar manager said Tinsley threatened to kill him during the fight. The confrontation with the players followed another fight involving a person who employees thought was trying to steal coats from the coat check area, police said.

Pacers players yelled obscenities at staff members, the report said.

At some point, Tinsley punched bar manager Mark Nicholson, 42, on the left side of his head, knocking him to his knees, the report said. Nicholson said Daniels and another man began striking him in the face. Other witnesses then separated those involved in the fight.

Nicholson suffered a laceration to the forehead and may have lost a tooth in the scuffle, police said.

Nicholson and other witnesses told police that Pacers guard Keith McLeod was involved in pushing and shoving during the fight, but Nicholson could not say if McCleod had struck him. McCleod was not charged.

McLeod also has denied involvement in the fight.