Mud Hens pitcher indicted for attack on teammate

6/29/2007

Mud Hens pitcher Roman Colon has been indicted by a Lucas County grand jury for an assault that stemmed from an incident in the home clubhouse at Fifth Third Field.

According to the indictment returned Thursday afternoon, Mr. Colon is charged with one count of felonious assault and faces up to eight years in prison if convicted. An arraignment date before Common Pleas Judge Gene Zmuda has not yet been set.

The wife of fellow player Jason Karnuth filed a report with the Toledo police department after her husband was injured June 12. The report alleged that Mr. Colon punched Mr. Karnuth when Mr. Karnuth was trying to break up an argument.

Rachel Karnuth filed on behalf of her husband because she said he was recovering from extensive facial injuries that will require surgery. Mr. Karnuth is a 31-year-old pitcher who had been the Hens closer but was placed on the disabled list June 13.

The report said Mr. Colon and Hens pitcher Virgil Vasquez were arguing in the clubhouse before the Hens game against Norfolk, then Hens pitcher Jordan Tata and Mr. Colon began to argue. Mr. Karnuth, a three-year veteran of the Hens, tried to break up the fight when Mr. Colon punched him in the face, the report said.

The team said Mr. Colon, a right-handed pitcher, suffered a left shoulder contusion from the incident.

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