A Farmington man was charged with disorderly conduct and fined $500 after he admitted to throwing an octopus on the ice during a March 21 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
↵Charlie Graves is the fan who threw the octopus and did it about a full month before a second fan was kicked out of Game 1 against the Phoenix Coyotes. That incident drew a lot of ire from Red Wings fans across the nation, as it appeared that the NHL and Detroit Police had only started enforcing the rule just before the playoff game started. But that apparently is not the case.
↵George Malik over at Kukla's Corner expanded on the subject, and it's not just a fine that fans are facing.
↵↵↵You will be charged with a misdemeanor, you're going to be tried in court, and you will face possibly paying court costs, community service, and possibly even jail time if you tick off the judge who sentences you for a charge that's hard to disprove. Just as importantly, you're all but certain to be not only removed from the game you're attending, but also booked (and possibly even have a mugshot taken) at the main police department branch on Beaubien Street.
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Graves pleaded not guilty to his charge and he says he's going to fight the good fight.
↵↵↵"I pleaded not guilty, of course," Graves said. "I'm going to fight for this tradition. And so, I have to come back in July for a trial, and I'll be lawyered up."
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So, beware octopus tossers everywhere. It may not be just a cephalopod you're throwing out; it may be your wallet too.
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