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Castillo trial: The defendant takes the stand
DAYTON — Former Peoria Chiefs pitcher Julio Castillo testified Thursday, July 23, that he was trying to get Dayton Dragons players to retreat into their dugout when he hurled a baseball that hit a spectator.
“I threw the ball in front of the dugout, because I was nervous and I was frightened,” Castillo said, speaking through an interpreter. “I didn’t throw it to hit anyone.”
Castillo, 22, who is from the Dominican Republic, only speaks Spanish. He cannot read or write any language. When his defense attorney asked him to spell his last name, a standard question at the start of testimony, Castillo responded “I can’t spell it.”
Castillo, a former pitcher with the Peoria Chiefs, is on trial this week for two counts of felonious assault. The charges are second-degree felonies, punishable by up to eight years in prison, though the charges could merge for sentencing purposes should he be convicted of both.
Prosecutors claim Castillo was acting with anger when he threw the ball that hit Christopher McCarthy, 45, of Middletown. McCarthy suffered a concussion. Castillo’s intent was to hurt a member of the Dragons, prosecutors said.
But defense attorney Dennis Lieberman told Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Connie S. Price on Tuesday that Castillo did not intend to hurt anyone. As Dragons players, reacting to a brawl on the field, began to run out from the dugout, Castillo threw the ball toward netting in front of the dugout to keep them from joining the fight.
Castillo threw to ball to communicate to the Dragons that they should stay back, since he could not communicate verbally, but the ball sailed over the dugout and hit the spectator, Lieberman told Price.
On Thursday, Castillo told Lieberman he was on the mound but getting nervous as the teams managers were arguing and starting to shove each other and it appeared a bench-clearing brawl was about to start. When he saw Dragons players leaving the dugout, he reacted, Castillo said.
During cross examination by assistant county prosecutor Tracey Ballard Tangeman, Castillo acknowledged that no Dragons player touched him until after he threw the ball, that no Dragons players were moving toward him in a photograph taken during the incident.
“It was something fast,” Castillo said.
Castillo also told Tangeman that no Peoria players hit any Dragons players before he hurled the ball. Asked if any Dragons players hit any Peoria players before he threw, Castillo answered “I didn’t see it.”
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Comments
By Tom
July 23, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this
In my opinion there was no need to throw a baseball at a player of the other team. This action is the same as a boxer using his hands when not in the ring. A weapon. I say send him back to the DR.and don’t let him return to baseball. We have enough people in prison that are citizens of the U.S. that we as tax payers have to pay for. Deport this Person and ban him for life from playing MLB.By Jon
July 23, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this
I was at that game and seated in the row directly behind the guy that got hit. The way he threw the ball was with malice. The assertion that he was just trying to send a message is bull. Also, he later grabbed a baseball bat and tried to enter the stands to get at some fans who threw beer at him! He was out of control. Now he’s just trying to act like he was just trying to send a message. No way. Guilty as the day is long and he needs to be deported and banned from baseball for life.By bob
July 23, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
ban him for life…. geez… the person who was hit with the ball had a concussion for God’s sake…. i don’t even know the guy, and not even sure if he is good enough to play in the majors, but i really think probation would probably be a suitable punishment, along with some community service hours with kids in this town…By bob's a dumazz
July 23, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
Hey Bob, you want to let this guy work with your kids. Send the beaner homeBy jamie
July 23, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
I was there. GUILTY!By Tom
July 23, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
If this person can’t even read or write in his native language what in the world is he doing trying to play organized sports. No way should community service even be thought about. Send him back.Let this be a message. Montgomery county will not put up with this playing. Also bring back Donnie Scott. He was a true manager and the Dragon’s excelled with his experience in teaching baseball.By Outside Observer
July 23, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
poated by Jon “Also, he later grabbed a baseball bat and tried to enter the stands” This portion of the video is on youtube, I just watched it this morning. He claimed to be scared, I dont believe it.By Tired or Dayton racists!
July 23, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
“bob’s a dumazz” is a good name for you… Racist!By J
July 23, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this
Rob Dibble did the same thing years ago and nothing happened. Its all about race. Sad.By Not a Bleeding Heart
July 23, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
Why did the MLB employ a man that cannot read or write in any language??? How many americans play little league and go on to play college ball only to know that the MLB is going to hire an illiterate from another country. This is sending a good message to the youth, you do not need an education to play MLB. He will get a slap on the wrist and reinstated, Take a look at the NFL (Bengals) you need an arrest record not a diploma to play.By Joe
July 23, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this
Don’t waste the taxpayer’s money. He can’t read. He can’t write. He can’t express himself correctly either. Guilty! Deport!!By Frank
July 23, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
So, I see he’s using the “I’m a stupid foreigner” defense.By anonymous
July 23, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
Community service? So he can teach the kids to throw like that??? Also, he would never be a MLB pitcher if he was aiming for the dugout and hit a fan instead.By Think?
July 23, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that fact of people wanting to find this man guilty is because of his race. I think it’s because he threw a baseball with the intent of hurting someone, mainly, someone from the Dragon’s team. I do think he was angry, not scared. What was there to be scared of? So, the two teams exited the bench, big deal? That’s baseball, fights happen. That like being a hockey player and throwing your stick at someone, because you are scared. Whatever!By can't speak english
July 23, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
Riddle me this… If he cannot speak english, then how does he receive coaching instructions and other instructions from Peoria Chiefs Mgmt? Just a thought, but I really think this guy is trying to play everyone for a fool. I was there and his intent was to hit someone with that ball.By Jack
July 23, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
What would we be talking about if he had hit the guy in the middle of the face? Jail time and a large fine if found guilty.By Frank
July 23, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
It’s kind of sad to see people being to set against this guy. He made a mistake - punish him and make him pay the price. Do not ruin his career for life, that’s uncalled for, and it’s stupid. Nobody got hurt, time to go by the letter of the law and move on.By Cameron
July 23, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
“Nobody got hurt,” except for the person who was hit in the head by the ball thrown by the pitcher… the entire reason this is even going to trial. moron.By Hipp
July 23, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Hey “can’t speak english”…If you watched baseball you would realize that there’s more people in the game who’s first language is NOT english. many speak spanish. As for the the racist…how ‘bout we send all those “beaners” back where they belong…that way you can kiss away American baseball. Foreigners make baseball as good as it is the same way foreigners made America as good as it is. And for the pitcher…he’s suffered enough, just send him home…if he makes it back and baseball fine but probably not. Come on you people Dante Stallworth got 24 days for killing a person. This guy shouldn’t be going through all this for giving someone a concussion. He was out of control just like pretty much every player was that day. I’m sure he’s paid the man’s expenses so just let him go and move on.By Clem
July 23, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
So Julio doesn’t have an education. I have a great idea. He can get his GED while he’s spending 8-10 years in the clink. Then we can deport him!