Virginia high school player found guilty of biting opponent

By Jimmy LaRoue

A former Fluvanna County High School soccer player was convicted of biting a Western Albemarle High School player during a heated game in May, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge Richard Moore found Katrina Ditta guilty of misdemeanor assault and handed down a 90-day suspended sentence. Ditta’s attorney’s said they would appeal the verdict.

The Daily Progress of Charlottesville reported that the judge “made the ruling although there was no testimony or evidence that indicated Katrina Ditta, 18, who graduated from Fluvanna County High School in June, had been the one to bite the victim.”

According to The Hook, a weekly alternative newspaper, also of Charlottesville, Western Albemarle student Christine Domecq said Ditta had bitten her during a Jefferson District tournament game on May 23 while trying to make a run on a corner kick during the first overtime. She said she knew Ditta because the two used to be teammates when Domecq attended Fluvanna.

The Hook’s story delves into trial testimony, while the Daily Progress story focuses on the judge’s explanation over his decision, noting that he found Domecq believable, even though there was no one testifying, according to multiple media accounts, that anyone saw the incident, and no foul was called on the play.

The Hook and CBS19 TV in Charlottesville noted, Ditta, a co-captain of Fluvanna’s team who has since graduated, was surrounded by friends, family, teammates and the county’s superintendent.

Ditta testified that she did not bite Domecq, though Domecq testified that the Fluvanna player did, according to CBS19. Domecq’s attorneys provided photos of her arm that they said show she was bitten. NBC29 previously reported that no complaint or appeal was filed with the Virginia High School League.

Both players received all-first team Jefferson District honors this past season.

The appeal will be heard Aug. 9.