Nearly a month after an assault at a downtown apartment party, a Centre County assistant district attorney said yesterday that about six Penn State football players may face charges today for their involvement.

The attorney, Steve Sloane, said authorities have identified six players who allegedly forced their way into a third-floor apartment at Meridian II, 646 E. College Ave., April 1. State College police and the district attorney's office will hold a joint news conference at 10:30 a.m. today to "announce arrests that will be made in connection" with the incident, according to a police press release. Sloane said he would issue subpoenas for other football players who were present at the time of the incident to testify at the preliminary hearing, in addition to any other students and victims.

"I expect to call 40 witnesses at that preliminary hearing, at least," Sloane said.

Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson refused to comment yesterday, except to say that his office might release a statement after today's news conference.

After nearly one month of relative silence by local law enforcement, university administrators and the athletic department -- and speculation by fans -- today's news conference should provide some concrete answers as to what really happened that night at the Meridian.

Police said the incident began to unfold late in the evening of March 31. There was a confrontation that occurred at the intersection of High Street and East College Avenue where offensive comments were made to a woman by at least one of three men, police said. The woman's boyfriend then became angry, police said, leading to a physical confrontation among the men.

It's unclear which players entered the apartment uninvited -- an action that could result in burglary charges. Junior cornerback Justin King confirmed that he spoke to police about a party he attended that night, but no other players have confirmed their presence at the party or their involvement in the fight.

Police said the victims suffered injuries such as abrasions on the body, blackened eyes and bruised ribs. Police said at least one person was struck with a bottle during the fight. Partygoers also said someone was struck with a barstool.

Jack Britt (junior-crime, law and justice) said he was struck by a bottle and was treated at the hospital for about an hour after the incident.

During the week after the fight, there were one-on-one and group meetings between players and coaches to discuss the incident, said team spokesman Guido D'Elia. Coach Joe Paterno was "disappointed" about the situation and addressed the team, D'Elia said.

However, various members of the team have said spring practice wasn't affected by reports of the fight. Though he said the fight was "an unfortunate incident," senior linebacker Dan Connor told reporters last week that the allegations had not distracted the team.

"The one thing we can't do is dwell too much on it and talk about it and make it the big thing of the spring," Connor said.

Paterno first addressed the incident publicly before last weekend's Blue-White game.

"I never worry about things until I have to worry about them," Paterno said. "And I'm not sure I've got anything to worry about yet. I don't know one way or the other."