Investigation finds no racial slur said at Mansfield basketball game

MANSFIELD, Mass. (WLNE) — Mansfield Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Murphy said the school district found a racial slur was not said at a varsity basketball game where a racial slur was believed to have been said during a free throw attempt.

Attorney Jeffrey Sankey and Creative Forensic Services investigated a video taken during a February boy’s basketball game that allegedly showed a fan uttering a racial slur during a free throw attempt by an opposing player from Sharon.

The investigation found that no racial slur was uttered during the game, and Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly, the district’s Civil Rights Coordinator, accepted the conclusion.

“The Mansfield Public Schools treats reports of this nature with the utmost seriousness and concern. It is not only the obligation of the school to investigate this allegation, but it also reflects our commitment to provide all students, including visiting students, with an educational environment that is healthy, safe and supportive,” Murphy said. “I appreciate that this concern was brought to our attention. The allegations raised warranted a thorough outside review, and we accept the results of the investigation.”

A report on the full investigation be be read here. The district added that it considers the incident closed.