PITTSBURGH -- Dozens of people facing charges after Super Bowl celebrations that got out of hand in Oakland were in a Pittsburgh courtroom on Monday.
Watch Marcie Cipriani's ReportFollowing the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XLIII, police said a number of unruly celebrants broke windows, overturned cars and set fires near the University of Pittsburgh. An Oakland bus shelter was also torn down by some in the crowd.
Damage to the area following the game is estimated to be around $50,000.
Channel 4 Action News' Ari Hait was in the courtroom. He reported that of the 40 defendants who were facing charges of failure to disperse, most were able to resolve their cases. The defendants were given the option of a hearing or taking a plea. The plea deal is a choice between a $300 fine or 50 hours of community service, Hait reported.
One attorney, David Shrager, said he believes the deal to be a fair one.
"Those claims of, obviously, excess celebration during the Super Bowl victory party. And now they're going to do something to give back to the community," Shrager said.
Most of the defendants did agree to the plea bargain. Of those, seven people paid fines and 31 people chose community service. Channel 4 Action News' Marcie Cipriani reported three people didn't show up for court and three people never got their summons. Those summons will be reissued, Cipriani reported.
Two other defendants refused the plea deal and requested a hearing. Those hearings will be scheduled for a later date.
One defendant who did not settle his case on Monday was 22-year-old Wesley Plank. He was charged with arson and risking a catastrophe in connection with a fire set inside a garbage can, Hait reported.
Along with those facing police charges, the University of Pittsburgh said two dozen students are being subjected to the school's disciplinary process for their alleged role in the vandalism.
More than 20 students are accused of disorderly conduct, which could result in fines of $250 to $500 and 20-25 hours of community service.
"I remember my buddy getting tackled. I went over and asked if he was alright and I got arrested too," said Donald Rethage.
Two of those students were suspended for their role in the destruction of a bus shelter at Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard.
Three students are being disciplined for burning materials on campus.
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