Local

Banned for life: Man who caused PNC Park uproar sentenced

PITTSBURGH — A judge has barred an unruly Pittsburgh Pirates fan from PNC Park while he serves two years' probation for fighting police who were criticized by some for using a stun gun and batons to subdue him.

Scott Ashley, 43, of Garfield was charged with numerous offenses on April 9, 2011, after he fought with officers who were trying to get him to leave the seating area.

Ashley was sentenced after pleading guilty to reduced charges of simple assault, resisting arrest and a harassment citation.

Allegheny County Judge David Cashman told Ashley that the ballpark is "not the place to be an (expletive)" in sentencing him Tuesday.

Ashley ordered to have no contact with PNC Park security and was permanently banned from the stadium.

A YouTube video of Ashley's confrontation with police and a team employee who was escorting him from the ballpark prompted debate over the police response.

Pittsburgh Police Det. Frank Rende said Cashman's comments were "great" because the incident "put us in a bad light nationally."

“The judge is a huge baseball fan and he berated Ashley about conduct at ballparks. It’s a family event and he scolded Mr. Ashley for not making it a family event anymore,” Rende said.

Ashley was also placed on two-year probation and ordered to attend anger management classes, undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and submit to random drug screenings.

Previous Stories:

0