Ohio trial starts for pitcher blamed in fan injury

[samanthajane13]

DAYTON, Ohio – A prosecutor says a minor-league pitcher wanted to hurt someone during an on-field brawl when he threw a baseball that hit a fan in the stands.

Assistant Montgomery County Prosecutor Jon Marshall said in openings statements Tuesday that 22-year-old Julio Castillo (HOO'-lee-oh kuh-STEE'-yoh) committed an act of violence during the 10-minute, bench-clearing clash last July in Dayton.

The 22-year-old Castillo, of the Dominican Republic, is on trial on two counts of felonious assault. He has pleaded not guilty.

Defense attorney Dennis Lieberman says Castillo was throwing the ball at the dugout fence and had no intention of hitting anyone.

Castillo was pitching for the Peoria Chiefs against the Dayton Dragons. The fan was treated at a hospital and released.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090721/...baseball_brawl