Man Pleads Guilty in Pimlico Incident
The man arrested for running onto the track as thoroughbreds raced down the stretch a race before this year’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of reckless endangerment.
Prosecutors said they are recommending a three-year suspended sentence for Lee Ferrell and five years probation.
The incident occurred three races before the nationally televised Preakness Stakes on May 15.
Ferrell, 22, has said he does not remember the incident. His attorney, Frederic Heyman, has described Ferrell as a troubled person who has been diagnosed as suffering from manic depression.
As the horses rounded the track, Ferrell made his way to the track from the infield, went over a fence, staggered to the inside rail, which he pounded with his fist before ducking under it, and ran onto the track.
As the horses approached him, he stood with his fists clenched and arms upraised. As the horses charged by on both sides, Ferrell punched at them.
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