Feelings Mixed on Manning Case

Wildly conflicting accounts of the late-night fight that resulted in the arrest of UCLA senior cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. on two counts of felony assault emerged Wednesday.

Both sides agree on a handful of facts, but deny starting the April 24 brawl in the parking lot outside Madison’s Neighborhood Grill in Westwood. The fight resulted in Brian Herbert, 34, suffering a facial injury from a Manning blow and Seth Spiker, 26, suffering a concussion, two black eyes and broken teeth.

Manning, a two-time All-Pacific 10 Conference pick and Minnesota Twin minor leaguer, faces charges that could result in 11 years in prison. His arrest Tuesday night is the latest in a yearlong string of serious off-the-field incidents involving Bruin football players.

Last year, tailback DeShaun Foster was suspended for the last four games for an NCAA extra-benefits violation and quarterback Cory Paus failed to inform Coach Bob Toledo of two DUI convictions. The episodes contributed to four losses in the last five games after the Bruins had opened with six victories.

Although Manning practiced Wednesday morning, 12 hours after being released on bail from the LAPD Pacific Division, and participated in the team’s afternoon scrimmage at the Rose Bowl, some teammates expressed dismay at his arrest.

“Ricky is the leader of this team and we don’t need this right now,� said one starter. “I feel really bad for him, but we all talk all the time about avoiding those kind of situations. Ricky knew better.�

The incident began when Tremaine Mitchell, a friend of Manning and the brother of Philadelphia Eagle and former UCLA receiver Freddie Mitchell, exchanged words in the bar with Spiker, who like Herbert is a bodybuilder employed as a security guard at the Hollywood Athletic Club.

Each side has a vastly different version of events that came next.

Manning says Herbert and Spiker left the bar first and started the fight when Manning and Mitchell exited at 2 a.m.

“I was aggressed against and I defended myself,� Manning said.

Manning’s attorney, Daniel Davis, characterized the actions of Herbert and Spiker as hypocritical, saying they initiated the fight then sought charges upon realizing that Manning is projected as an NFL player who might some day sign a lucrative contract. Davis pointed out that neither victim sought medical attention until late the next afternoon.

Herbert and Spiker, neither of whom has a criminal record, bristle at the suggestion that they are attempting to cash in on a fight they started--and lost.

“Manning and his friends left the bar first, not us,� Herbert said. “The next thing I know Seth is on the ground and 10 people are kicking his head in. Then Ricky Manning sucker-punched me in the face. I was kicked and stomped on until my head looked like a pumpkin.�

Herbert said he went to work the next day and co-workers told the victims to go to the hospital. Personnel at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center contacted police.

“I didn’t know who Ricky Manning was until I talked to a UCLA student the next day,� Spiker said. “I don’t know how he can say it was self-defense when neither Bryan nor I threw a punch. I don’t know if Manning hit me or not because I was on the ground and so many guys were kicking and punching me.�

Spiker, a Texas native who aspires to become an actor or a model, estimated his medical bills at $20,000. Herbert, who moved to Los Angeles from England 13 years ago and speaks in a thick accent, said he is not sure how much he owes doctors.

“I just know I have no way of paying them,� he said.

Mitchell, who already had an outstanding warrant for a November 2001 fight, was arrested first and charged with felony assault. A warrant for Manning’s arrest was issued June 25, about the time he left to play for the Twins’ minor league affiliate in Davenport, Iowa. Police notified UCLA officials Tuesday of the warrant, and Manning, who said he did not know a warrant had been issued, turned himself in at the campus police office.

It is unclear why he was not arrested until Tuesday, but he was in Ventura County during training camp at Cal Lutheran and did not return to Westwood until Saturday.

“I also want to thank the LAPD for handling this professionally,� Manning said. “I was treated with care.�

Manning said he is considering filing suit against Herbert, who at 6 feet 3, 230 pounds is larger than the 5-foot-9, 180-pound cornerback.

Toledo said that to his knowledge no other football player was involved in the fight. And he is steadfast in his support of Manning, who came to him and confessed his involvement the day after the fight. Toledo punished the player at the time, although he would not divulge the nature of the punishment.

“He was trying to protect himself, that’s what he told me and that’s what I believe happened,� he said. “I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt until the legal process takes its course.�

Manning would be dismissed from the team if convicted of a felony, but Davis said the case probably wouldn’t be resolved until after the season. An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 17, at which time a preliminary hearing will be set. A trial, should the case reach that point, would be several months away.

In addition to the problems of Foster and Paus, three players besides Manning have been involved in fights. Junior defensive lineman Asi Faoa was convicted of misdemeanor assault, senior linebacker Audie Attar was dismissed from the team and freshman defensive lineman C.J. Niusulu has been charged with felony battery in his hometown of Barstow.

Athletic Director Dan Guerrero learned of the fight Tuesday when the LAPD called to inform the school about the warrant for Manning’s arrest. He is backing his player and coach. Manning took the athletic director aside at the scrimmage and thanked him for his support.

“Bob dealt with this when Ricky told him about it in the spring,� Guerrero said. “Neither one of them knew there was any police involvement. They thought it was over.�