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Castillo verdict to be announced Tuesday
DAYTON — A Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge will render her verdict Tuesday, Aug. 4, on Julio Castillo, the former Peoria Chiefs pitcher who hurled a baseball into the stands at Fifth Third Field, injuring a fan.
Castillo, 22, who is from the Dominican Republic, will appear before Judge Connie S. Price, who presided over his trial from July 21 to 23. Since Castillo waived his right to a jury trial, Price will decide whether prosecutors have proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt
Castillo is charged under two statutory definitions of felonious assault. One requires proving that he did “serious physical harm,” the other that he used a “deadly weapon.” 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.
Castillo was on the mound at Fifth Third Field on July 24, 2008, when a brawl started on the field. Castillo ran off the mound, then hurled a baseball toward the Dayton Dragons’ dugout. The ball went high and struck spectator Christopher McCarthy, 45, of Middletown, giving McCarthy a concussion.
Prosecutors contend that Castillo threw the ball at an unidentified Dragon with the intent to hurt him.
Defense attorney Dennis Lieberman told Price during the trial that Castillo aimed at netting in front of the dugout, to warn the Dragons to stay back as the two teams’ managers were pushing each other. Castillo did that because he does not speak English and had no other way to communicate, Lieberman said. Because he had no intent to harm anyone, he cannot be found guilty of felonious assault, Lieberman told Price last week.
Castillo, 22, is from the Dominican Republic. He remains under contract with the Chicago Cubs, who are paying his legal bills, but has not played since the incident at Fifth Third.
- Photos: Ex-pitcher on trial for assault
- Photos: Brawl breaks out at Dayton Dragons game
- Video: Watch the brawl unfold
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Comments
By Skeptic
August 3, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this
I think it is very curious that the only video that was shown was the one showing Castillo throwing at the Dugout. But there are no videos from the 1st base line or the outfield. I can’t believe the Dragons only have one video. Why are we only getting part of the story.By SoCal Buckeye
August 3, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
There’s a fan video from the 1st base side on YouTube. You can’t see the the spectator getting hit, but you can see and hear the local fans react to it.By 1988%20KX%20from%20OHio
August 3, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
Ship him back to the Dominican Republic for good.By Scott
August 3, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
I contacted the prosecutor’s office myself to inform them of what happened when Castillo came back out of the 1B duggout with bat in hand. They responded via phone call, but didn’t want me to come testify. I was there, as was my daughter and parents. I guess they don’t want the full information on what happened.By marge@aol.com
August 3, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
Anyone who has ever went to a basball game knows it is watch at your own risk. The even announce it over the PA system to watch out for thrown or batted balls. They guy who got hit should have ducked.By marge@aol.com
August 3, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
Anyone who has ever went to a baseball game knows it is watch at your own risk. The even announce it over the PA system to watch out for thrown or batted balls. The guy who got hit should have ducked.By bob
August 3, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
re: “At your own risk” There is a difference between a foul ball or broken bat going into the stands and someone deliberating throwing a heater into them.By ken
August 3, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
send his butt to jail; he could have done more serious damahe to who ever he hits.By flipper
August 3, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Roman justice. It’s thumbs down for HOOleeO!By paul
August 3, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
marge, you are a moron. nice e-mail adress and repeat message. The guy had about .4 seconds to duck. I was there. During the game you watch the ball, during a fight/argument the ball shouldn’t even be a concern of the fans. Play was stopped. Get a clue.By jacob
August 3, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
marge - Said disclaimer is meant to protect the proprietors of the establishment against a civil suit. IT DOES NOT give the pitcher a license to chuck a fastball into the stands, and certainly won’t protect him from criminal prosecution. Deport that a-holeBy Akingu
August 5, 2009 8:07 PM | Link to this
they should just DEPORT that f*king ngger piece of sh*t! DD