ROCKPORT, Ind. -- Three men have admitted burning a cross before a high school basketball game that included several black players from Evansville Bosse at mostly white Heritage Hills.
Spencer County Prosecutor Eric K. Ayer said Thursday night no charges have been filed against the men, ages 19 to 21, but his investigation continues.
Ayer said a review of Indiana laws so far has uncovered no statute 'that applies to this type of conduct directly.'
Ayers said the incident was 'deplorable' and is an 'unfair reflection on Heritage Hills and its students.'
Santa Claus Town Marshal C.A. Gratzer said the three men admitted burning the cross before Tuesday night's game, but said 'there was no motive as far as racial discrimination. They said it was just a prank ... that got out of hand.'
The cross was burned near the Abraham Lincoln National Memorial, about a half-mile east of Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City. It was visible to the Bosse players as their bus moved along Indiana 162.
Bosse Coach Joe Mullan said the crowd at the game verbally abused his players, prompting him to say he would not take a team to Heritage Hills again.
Phillip Schoffstall, superintendent of the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp., said he has asked for an investigation by the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
