NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Knicks great Charles Oakley has chosen to go to trial in August on charges he struck a security guard at Madison Square Garden.
Oakley appeared briefly before a Manhattan judge on Friday. He rejected a conditional dismissal that would have left him with a clean record after six months of good behavior.
Oakley became a fan favorite when he played for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998. But he’s had a falling out with the organization in recent years.
On Feb. 8, he sat a few rows from Knicks owner James Dolan at a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Security approached Oakley early in the game and a fracas ensued. Oakley was removed from the building and handcuffed.
Oakley says he didn’t do anything wrong.