IN BRIEF : Hockey Player Acquitted of Assault

A high school hockey player charged with assaulting another player during a game with his stick was found innocent today.

The Delta County District Court jury returned its verdict after two days of testimony and less than two hours of deliberations.

Frank Sliva Jr., a senior at Escanaba High School, was charged with assault and battery as well as aggravated assault after he hit another player during a Jan. 14 game.

Judge Robert DeGrand on Thursday dropped the more serious aggravated assault charge for lack of evidence.

Richard Fawcett, assistant director of the National Federation of High School Athletic Assns., said he believed the trial was the first of its kind at the high school level.