A Friendship man whose confrontation with Pittsburgh police atPNC Park became an Internet sensation is headed to trial, adistrict judge ruled Wednesday.
Scott Ashley, 41, who police zapped with a Taser and smacked withbatons, will stand trial on six charges -- two of which prosecutors added yesterday -- related to the April 9 incident.
A video of the confrontation was posted on YouTube, where it hasbeen viewed tens of thousands of times. Ashley's charges includeattempting to disarm a police officer and making terroristicthreats.
"It's clear to me when the true evidence comes out, we'll be vindicated," Ashley's attorney, Fred Rabner, said. "I feel that the video tape is the best evidence."
Rabner argued to District Judge Eugene Ricciardi that he should convict Ashley of summary disorderly conduct but dismiss the more serious charges. Ricciardi refused, saying Ashley's actionsescalated to a point where "it's not a matter for this stage."
The Citizen Police Review Board earlier this week extended its investigation into the incident for 30 days, said director Beth Pittinger.
Ashley appeared at Pittsburgh Municipal Court in a suit withouthis red, white and blue jacket that prompted fans at the Piratesgame to chant "USA, USA," during the incident.
Ricciardi declined to view the video that shows Ashley being unsuccessfully shot with a Taser after elbowing a PNC Park security guard while he was being escorted from his outfield seat. Ashley wasthen struck multiple times with batons by two police officers beforebeing handcuffed and arrested.
Detective Frank Rende testified that PNC Park security called foran officer because Ashley was being unruly.
Rende, who was on duty at the park, said, "I asked Mr. Ashley tostep out and talk about what was going on. He said, '(expletive)you. Get out of my way. I'm trying to watch the game.' I said thatwe can do this the easy or the hard way and he said, 'I'm going thehard way, brother.' "
Rende said Ashley eventually got up after Rende asked him three times. After Ashley elbowed a park security guard on the way downthe steps, Rende said he fired his Taser.
The Taser didn't go through Ashley's jacket, so Rende said heused his club. After Ashley was hit in the leg, Rende said Ashleystumbled forward and put his hand on Rende's gun holster.
That's when Rende and Officer Jeffrey LaBella took Ashley to the ground, Rende said.
"The thing that bothered me was the fans. They were very unruly,very anti-police," Rende said.
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