Briefly In Public Safety

Coach must attend counseling

A judge on Monday agreed to dismiss a misdemeanor battery case against a popular youth baseball coach pending his completion of general counseling.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Dorothy Reyes told Francisco Jose Sandoval that she would dismiss the criminal complaint against him, so long as he completed the counseling. Prosecutors had no initial objections to the dismissal.

The case against Sandoval stemmed from a fight with an umpire last year and gained attention after the coach, flanked by several members of his teams and their parents, repeatedly argued his innocence before the City Council.

Sandoval’s attorney, David D. Diamond, said he was pleased prosecutors examined the case objectively, particularly given that the umpire did not want to press charges. Diamond claimed that a city official was dishonest about witnessing the alleged battery.