The former wife of Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo testified Tuesday that she began an altercation that ended in his arrest on charges of misdemeanor assault/family violence and said the the injuries he caused her mouth and head were unintentional.
Mabel Lugo's testimony contradicted information she gave police April 30, when Julio Lugo was arrested for allegedly punching her in the mouth and slamming her head against a car window as she drove him to a game at Minute Maid Park. Mabel Lugo said the altercation began when she insisted they discuss their marital problems. Her testimony included excuses for all the injuries she originally claimed her ex-husband inflicted.
"We had some inkling that was going to happen," defense attorney Chris Tritico said. "I had no idea it was going to be so strong."
Julio Lugo, with the Astros at the time, was arrested in the stadium parking lot after the game and spent the night in jail. He was released the next morning. Lugo faces up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine if convicted.
Lugo pleaded not guilty in Harris County Criminal Court-At-Law Judge Michael Peters' court.
Texas law allows the state to pursue prosecution in cases of abuse with hearsay evidence from a witness, Tritico said. The prosecution plans to call two more police officers who took statements from Mabel Lugo.
Assistant District Attorney Catherine Evans claimed Julio Lugo was the attacker in opening arguments.
An emergency medical services worker who attended to Mabel Lugo also testified. Two Minute Maid Park workers are scheduled to testify today before the prosecution rests. The trial is scheduled to end Thursday.
The Rays picked up Lugo off waivers after the incident and signed him to a one-year contract. f,10,wk0 YANKS PURSUE BENITEZ: f,10,on0 The Yankees and Mets are on the verge of a trade that would send right-hander Armando Benitez to the Yankees for right-hander Jason Anderson and Class A right-hander Anderson Garcia, several news outlets reported.
Benitez, who has 21 saves, would become right-hander Mariano Rivera's setup man.
Also, Yankees 1B/DH Nick Johnson took batting practice for the first time since being sidelined by a stress fracture in his right hand two months ago.
EXPOS TO SAN JUAN?: The Expos could play their home schedule in Puerto Rico next season under a plan being considered by Major League Baseball.
To raise revenue, the commissioner's office moved 22 home games this season to Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Baseball hasn't come up with a permanent solution for the Expos.
NEGRO LEAGUE PENSIONS: The NAACP passed a resolution proposed by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., calling for Major League Baseball to reach a compensation agreement with former Negro League players left out of a 1997 pension plan.
WALL-CLIMBING DEATH: A young woman died after falling about 25 feet from a climbing wall at a minor-league game in Columbia, Mo. Christine Ewing, 22, was unconscious with head injuries when firefighters arrived shortly after the fall Monday evening.
- Information from Times wires was used in this report.
[Last modified July 16, 2003, 01:33:24]
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