“I’ve never seen a parent encourage another child who is competing against my kid or any other player to engage in violence,” he said. Spitzer added that he is the parent of two student-athletes and has witnessed plenty parents yelling and screaming from the stands, but not to the point of instigating an attack. “The ball now has changed hands and they’re going back to the other basket,” Spitzer said, and that's when he said Hunt encouraged her daughter to hit the other girl.
Spitzer said the punch came following a physical turnover play during which Hunt's daughter tried to block a shot and the other girl fell to the ground after attempting to score. We think it’s warranted given the facts." The alleged victim's lawyer, Kevin Hahn, said the family is “pleased with the DA’s decision to charge the mother. Nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the game of basketball requires,” Benjamin said in a statement at the time. “As a father, I’m shocked and disappointed at my daughter’s behavior as this is not a reflection of the values and standards that my family holds. His pro career included stints with the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks and overseas teams. The girl who threw the punch is the daughter of former NBA player Corey Benjamin, who issued an apology shortly after he saw the video of the game. Kaplan predicted that it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove that Hunt's outburst was a command and not just “an emotional response in a heated moment.” Richard Kaplan, a Los Angeles defense attorney not involved with this case, called the charges against Hunt “a stretch.” While those cases can bring charges, legal experts said it is very rare for a parent’s comment from the stands to produce a criminal case.
Viral videos periodically emerge of fathers or mothers charging onto playing fields or courts and assaulting referees, coaches or players. Usually it involves taunts or other harsh language, often directed at officials.
Youth sports in America are replete with examples of parents acting badly at games. He said Hunt's words “were the catalyst” that caused her daughter “to even think about” punching the other girl. “In my opinion it would have not happened, but for mom's words,” Spitzer said of the attack. Contact information for Hunt could not be found and it wasn't immediately known if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf. She faces up to a year in jail if convicted, Spitzer said. Hunt, 44, is charged with two misdemeanors: contributing to the delinquency of a minor and battery.
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