Pacer guard Jackson arraigned in Michigan on violation of probation

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson pleaded not guilty Monday at his arraignment on a probation violation charge.\nMichigan prosecutors say Jackson violated his probation by allegedly firing a gun outside an Indianapolis strip club last month.\nJackson was serving probation after pleading no contest in September 2005 to misdemeanor assault and battery charges for his role in a 2004 brawl between Pacers players and fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills. He is charged in Indiana with felony criminal recklessness and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct.\nJackson could face up to three months in jail if found guilty of violating the terms of his probation. His next court appearance in Michigan is scheduled for Jan. 26.\n"Feeling good, feeling good," Jackson said after his brief court appearance in Rochester Hills district court north of Detroit. "Just ready to get a workout in and get ready for our next game. That's my whole point: just getting back to basketball."\nPolice said Jackson fired a gun in the air at least five times during an Oct. 6 fight outside Club Rio. Jackson originally told police he fired the gun in self-defense, but Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Jackson retrieved his gun from his car and fired it before he was struck and injured by another car.\nDefense attorney James Burdick said Jackson had fully completed the terms of his 12-month probation earlier this year and therefore was not on probation at the time of his arrest in Indianapolis.\n"Stephen Jackson pleaded not guilty because he is not guilty," Burdick said outside court. "He is doing great. He's a great guy who loves Indiana, loves the team, loves playing for the people of Indiana."\nHis trial is scheduled to start Jan. 8 in Indianapolis. The criminal recklessness charge carries a prison term of six months to three years.\n"Perhaps by the time of the violation (hearing), we'll know the outcome of that trial," Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor John Pietrofesa said.