With his European touring commitments alongside Fat Joe (and uh, Mark Lanegan) presumably completed, Ron Artest has another pressing engagement writes the Detroit Free Press’ Al Toby.



Ron Artest will do community service in Detroit this month as part of his punishment for his role in the infamous brawl at the Palace in 2004.The Saramento Kings forward is scheduled to spend five days, beginning Wednesday, working with youths at the Mathis Community Center in Detroit. Artest will also be a guest speaker at the Judge Mathis Youth and Education Expo, held at Wayne County Community College’s downtown campus, on Aug. 19th.

“It’ll start the healing process from what happened,” said Tina Lucas, a spokeswoman for the Mathis Community Center.

Artest pleaded no contest to assault charges for fighting with fans at the Palace on Nov. 19, 2004, when he was with the Indiana Pacers. Artest was fined $250, given one year probation, and ordered to do 50 hours of community service.

With all due respect to Judge Mathis, Boy George and I are both in agreement. If Ronnie really wants to provide a community service to Motown, he can start by blowing up Insane Clown Posse albums.