Ex-Carmel player enters guilty plea; victim says attacks 'destroyed' him

UPDATE: John "Scott" Laskowski was smiling as he entered the Hamilton County Courthouse Thursday afternoon. As expected, Laskowski pleaded guilty to one of three misdemeanor criminal recklessness charges. The judge later accepted that plea, sentencing Laskowski to serve less than a year on probation and 40 hours of community service.

During the hearing, the victim of the attacks read a statement to the judge, saying he needed some answers. He said he changed schools three times in one year after being abused by basketball players and that he's struggling with a number of issues.

The victim said he was angry all the time, always questioning himself.

He talked about the attack also, saying he assumed each attack would be the last. He said no one should have to go through being humiliated. He said he thought all the seniors cared about him despite the hazing. He said he was afraid of what would happen to him and his family if he told anyone.

The attacks, he said, "destroyed a part of me that I will never be able to get back."

"Why did you have to make a joke out of it. Why did you do it to me?" the victim asked in his statement.

Laskowski also made a statement to the court relating to his criminal plea agreement.

"In addition to what I've said in my written statement, I want to thank the victim for his kindness. I want to say how sorry I am. He {the victim} is my friend. Never in a million years would I have thought that what I did would be such a huge thing and affect so many people."

Laskowski's attorney said there were contradictions in the evidence that would have been exposed had the case gone to trial. He said his client is the first to plead guilty after going over all of the evidence and that that is to Laskowski's credit.

"He has placed himself in a position to be a witness for the state. Scott is at risk of retaliation from other inmates. It's important that he not have an executed jail sentence at this time. Scott testified in front of the grand jury and his testimony is of significant value to the state." 

Laskowski, now 20 years old, agreed to 40 hours of community service and to have no contact with one of the victims in the case. He must also cooperate with prosecutors relating to the criminal charges pending against the other three defendants.

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A former Carmel High School basketball player who is accused of attacking a young student is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. Fox59 News has learned Scott Laskowski is expected to change his plea to guilty.

Details of his possible plea deal have not been revealed yet.

Back in May, he was charged with three misdemeanor counts of criminal recklessness. The maximum sentence for each charge would be 180 days in prison. Most first-time offenders don't end up doing jail time. We'll see if that's the case Thursday on Fox59 News: First at Four and Live at Five.

This story will be updated.