The State - News from Feb. 24, 1988

A man who held a Fresno television sportscaster hostage with a toy gun during a live broadcast was ordered to spend at least three months in a state psychiatric facility. David Pretzer, 21, suffered from mental illness and could not assist in his defense, Fresno Superior Court Judge Steve Vartabedian concluded after accepting a report by doctors. He was ordered to spend from three months to three years at the state prison at Atascadero. Pretzer will face charges of false imprisonment and stealing air time from KJEO-TV, Channel 47, when he is ruled fit to stand trial. Pretzer slipped into the TV station on Dec. 4 and entered the news set while sportscaster Marc Cotta was on the air. He brandished a realistic-looking toy gun and forced Cotta to read a rambling statement about Christianity before surrendering to police without incident. On Feb. 9, the Fresno City Council passed an ordinance banning the sale of realistic-looking toy guns.