Newz Forum: BASEBALL: Fan who ran on field at Shea gets two months in jail

NEW YORK (AP) - A fan who ran onto the field during a Mets game was sentenced Wednesday to two months in jail and ordered to stay out of Shea Stadium for three years.

John McCarthy, 38, of Totowa, N.J., pleaded guilty to interfering with a pro sports event. He also was put on probation for three years and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $1,000 civil penalty.

District Attorney Richard A. Brown said McCarthy had decided before the May 4 game against San Francisco to run on the field and disrupt play. He ran around the field with a sign that read "Howard Stern, Here's Johnny," Brown said. McCarthy previously said he fell onto the field while trying to catch a foul ball.

McCarthy became the first person charged under a new state law prohibiting interference with pro sports events. He will serve weekends in jail in September and October.

McCarthy's lawyer, Arthur Aidalla, did not immediately return a call.



[Edited on 18/8/04 by TRD]