Missouri teenager Eric Bogard, of Creve Coeur, now faces two charges related to the alleged use of a laser pointer during Monday night's St. Louis Cardinals baseball game against the San Francisco Giants.
Bogard, a 17-year-old Ladue Horton Watkins High School student, was charged with disturbing the peace at an athletic event and violating the harassment section of an ordinance regulating possession and use of lasers. Bogard was a member of the school's lacrosse team.
Bogard's attorney has come forward and said there was no criminal intent, that the incident was only one of a bunch of young men doing immature things. Bogard is now paying the price for his immaturity, and was arrested after being personally identified by the Cardinals' Manager Mike Matheny as the person responsible for shining the green laser at the opposing team's pitcher. Bogard was released after posting $150 bail shortly after 1:20 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The teen was sitting in a private suite owned by Mercy Health where police said they encountered resistance while trying to investigate the incident. Most of the occupants of the box were teens.
Matheny said Tuesday he was shocked by what he witnessed. The Giant's pitcher was winding up when Matt Holliday saw a laser on his jersey. The umpire quickly called a timeout while a few people searched the crowd for the culprit. Play was resumed a few moments later. Not content with just joking the one time, Bogard apparently started up again, resulting in the whole dugout jumping up and looking for the perpetrator.
Matheny eventually spotted Bogard, making eye contact with the teen. Once he'd been caught, Matheny says the boy laughed, waved and pointed the laser back on the field yet again.
Matheny said the incident was likely one of boys being stupid, but pointed out that it's impossible to know whether it was a prank or a shooter in a crowded stadium. "It's a crazy world right now," Matheny said. "You start seeing lasers and big crowds. I don't think the kid knew the severity of what he was really doing. But there were a couple things that could have really gone bad there."
In addition to the criminal charges which have been filed against Bogard, the Cardinals said the incident will be raised with the suite owner, which could face a revocation of privileges.
If you've had a run in with the law and find yourself in need of a Missouri criminal defense lawyer capable of fighting for your freedom, don't hesitate to contact our St. Louis criminal law firm today at (314) 863-0500.
Source: "Laser-pointing incident at ballgame leads to fan's arrest," by Christine Byers, published at STLToday.com.
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