Questions on police involvement arise in SC football coach assault investigation

An arrest warrant obtained by The Sun News alleges longtime Conway High School football coach Chuck Jordan “unlawfully and without just cause placed his hand on (the student’s) neck and shoulder area.”

While not disputing the possibility of some sort of physical contact, the coach’s attorney — Thomas C. Brittain of The Brittain Law Firm — said what occurred did not warrant charges or even police involvement.

Brittain said Tuesday that he plans to file a motion to have charges against his client dismissed in the aftermath of the May 26 on-campus incident.

Jordan, 60, and Kabrian Javar Hickman, a 17-year-old student at Conway High School, were both arrested Thursday by Conway police for their alleged roles in a “physical” altercation at the school. While Jordan was charged with third-degree assault and battery, Hickman faces a charge of disturbing schools.

Both were released the same day on recognizance bonds.

“Honestly, I think this is bad for the whole system, bad for everybody,” Brittain said, adding that he questions the manner in which the case has been handled by authorities thus far.

Despite his arrest, Jordan is on administrative leave with pay pending an independent investigation by Horry County Schools. Roaming the sideline at the school since 1983, his 275 wins rank eighth all-time among high school football coaches in South Carolina.

Horry County Schools also disciplined Hickman and a substitute teacher, whose name may be taken off a district-wide list of those standing in for regular instructors when they are absent.

Few concrete details regarding the incident have been released, though a police investigation found enough probable cause to issue warrants based on video, witness statements and interviews detailing the incident.

Admittedly, Brittain said he has yet to see video footage of the incident, acquired by the Conway Police Department courtesy of Horry County Schools. Brittain has done some work of his own, however, speaking to “people on various sides of this issue that have seen it.”

“I believe the following is pretty clear: Jordan was sitting in his office at the school, and a young person — it might have been a teacher but I believe it was a young person — came into the office and said ‘somebody was going nuts out there’ and they were scared … someone needed to do something,” Jordan’s attorney said. “My understanding was Coach Jordan did not know this young man, but he went out there at this person’s request and the young man was out of control saying bad words with some threats in there.

“Every teacher has a responsibility to the school and the students to protect them under any circumstance. Coach Jordan approached them and (Hickman) turned to leave, and Jordan followed him. Somewhere in that process, the young man turned around and came back towards Jordan and it’s hard to tell what happened, but there is a brief period where they are very close together.”

A relative of Hickman’s said she saw footage of the incident on May 30. By her account, Hickman “was walking down the hallway, stopped, and then all of a sudden was grabbed and slammed.”

According to those he has spoken to with first-hand knowledge of what was on tape, Brittain said “there was no slamming” of anyone involved.

“I know for sure there is not any sort of body slam by Jordan on that tape,” he said.

Currently, Brittain is unsure whether the case will be heard in an Horry County courtroom or one in the City of Conway. Whenever the veteran attorney receives word, he said the plan is to file a motion to dismiss charges — something he said could occur in a matter of days.

Regardless, his hope is the matter is resolved in a timely manner.

“My hope is that (Jordan) can go back to work rather swiftly, but I also do not know school protocol,” Brittain said. “I’d also like to see things resolved for the young man involved too.

“You hate to see injury to one’s name or livelihood … not just for Jordan but for (Hickman) as well.”

This story was originally published June 14, 2017 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Questions on police involvement arise in SC football coach assault investigation."