Charges dismissed against Pitt basketball player Ithiel Horton, could be refiled

Criminal charges accusing Pitt basketball player Ithiel Horton of punching a city police officer were dismissed Thursday but are likely to be refiled, officials said.

Magisterial District Randy Martini dismissed the charges after the prosecution attempted to postpone the case for a second time when witnesses failed to appear.

Mike Manko, a spokesman for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, said the arresting officer, who also is the alleged victim, had a scheduling conflict and arrived at the hearing after the charges already had been dismissed.

He said the officer intends to refile the charges, Manko said.

Horton was reinstated to the team Thursday afternoon. If charges are refiled, that decision will be reviewed, a Pitt spokesman said.

“I’m grateful to have this situation resolved and have the opportunity to get back to my life as a member of the Pitt basketball team and to fully return to the University of Pittsburgh,” Horton said in a news release. “The past two months have been extremely difficult, but the support and constant encouragement from my family, Coach (Jeff) Capel, the rest of the coaching staff and my teammates really helped me stay strong and keep working.”

Defense attorney Philip DiLucente said he argued to the court on Thursday that Horton was at risk of losing his scholarship because he had been suspended from the team while criminal charges were pending.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Nov. 6, Horton, 21, was on the South Side’s Carson Street when he became angry with a company trying to tow his vehicle, according to a criminal complaint.

Police officer Garrett Bellis responded to the call and said Horton punched him in the face, injuring his lip.

Police said Horton then ran before being caught and arrested.

Horton was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

DiLucente, though, said the entire skirmish was caused by Horton making an obscene statement to police that morning and the officers taking offense.

“They weren’t kind words, but they weren’t aggressive words,” DiLucente said.

Horton, a redshirt junior guard from New Jersey, is Pitt’s leading returning scorer from last season, when he averaged 8.9 points.

He started in 18 games and appeared in 22. Horton, who transferred from Delaware in 2019, shot 37.1% from 3-point range last season.

Capel said he is proud of how Horton handled his academic responsibilities during his suspension, including making the dean’s list.

“It is unfortunate that he had to miss the past two months, but I know he has remained hungry to get back with his teammates and have the opportunity to represent the University of Pittsburgh again,” Capel said.

“Ithiel has remained positive and confident throughout this process, and we are eager to integrate him back into the team. His teammates were excited when they heard he has been cleared to rejoin the group,” Capel added. “We look forward to his full return to the University of Pittsburgh and the opportunity to continue to mentor and lead a young man eager to make the most of his opportunity here.”