A Superior man was ordered to spend a year on probation and pay
$1,800 restitution for punching a man in the throat while they were playing basketball together.
Eric Thomas Larson, 30, pleaded no contest in August to one count of misdemeanor battery in Douglas County Circuit Court. He was sentenced Oct. 7.
The charge stems from a March incident, which took place at the Superior-
Douglas County YMCA. Larson and the victim were playing during a noon-hour basketball game in the gymnasium.
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According to the criminal complaint, Larson became aggressive toward the victim, calling him names and fouling him repeatedly. The victim accidentally fouled Larson and called himself on it and took the ball to the top of the key on the court. At that point, Larson punched the victim, grazing his chin and striking him in the throat. The punch broke the victim's hyoid bone in his throat into two pieces. In his victim witness statement, the man wrote that he may have to undergo surgery to place a plate and screws in his throat and was unable to work for about two weeks.
Along with probation and restitution, Larson was ordered to pay fines and court costs totaling $362 and undergo an anger management evaluation.
