Coleman Expected to Get Suspended Sentence, Fine

Vince Coleman is expected to be given a six-month suspended sentence in Municipal Court today for throwing an explosive device that injured three people at Dodger Stadium on July 24, The Times has learned.

Patrick Couenberg, deputy district attorney, indicated two weeks ago that a reduction to a misdemeanor charge--which Coleman’s attorney, Robert Shapiro, was seeking--might be worked out.

The reduction has apparently been agreed to, which means Coleman, by pleading guilty to the lesser charge, will avoid a jail term.

Coleman will be in court at 10 a.m. today, and the criminal case will be resolved at that time.

Shapiro, reached at his home Thursday night, said a proposal will be submitted to Municipal Court Commissioner Abe Kahn. “The ultimate sentence will be determined by him,” Shapiro said.

The proposal, according to Shapiro, calls for the 32-year-old New York Met outfielder to be fined $1,000 and given three years’ probation on the condition that he perform 200 hours of community service.

Coleman pleaded innocent to a felony explosives charge on Oct. 22, and Municipal Court Commissioner Kristi Lousteau set a preliminary hearing for today.

Coleman was charged with unlawful possession of an explosive device in connection with the incident.

He has admitted throwing an M-100, a device used by the military to simulate grenades, after a game between the Mets and Dodgers from a Jeep Cherokee driven by former Dodger outfielder Eric Davis, who was not charged. Met outfielder Bobby Bonilla, a passenger in the vehicle, also was not charged.

The resulting explosion injured Amanda Santos, then 2 1/2, who suffered second-degree burns to her cheek and damage to an eye and finger; Marshall Savoy, 11, who suffered a bruised leg; and Cindy Mayhew, 33, who was treated for an ear injury.

Coleman is also expected to agree to make restitution to the three injured parties.

The family of the Santos girl filed suit against Coleman and Davis on Oct. 18. That matter is still pending.

The lawsuit alleges battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, conspiracy to commit battery and inflict emotional distress, negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Also named in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit were an unspecified number of unidentified parties. The family is seeking unspecified general, special and punitive damages.

The Mets have said Coleman will never again play for the team. The Dodgers traded Davis to the Detroit Tigers in late August, and Davis recently signed a 1994 contract with the Tigers.