Chance To Walk In Stadium Incident

Queens prosecutors on Friday dropped a misdemeanor charge alleging Brian Peterson interfered with police in a Shea Stadium bottle-throwing incident.

Peterson, on probation for the 1996 killing of his newborn son, still faces disorderly conduct and harassment charges. But those will also be dropped if he stays out of trouble for six months, said Queens District Attorney spokeswoman Mary De Bourbon.

After reviewing the case, prosecutors decided reducing the charges was "appropriate, given the conduct described in the complaint," De Bourbon said. "His involvement consisted of yelling and flailing his arms."

Peterson's attorney, Jack Litman, called the decision "a recognition that there's really nothing criminal here. Immature perhaps, but not criminal."

Peterson, 22, was arrested Sept. 27 after a friend allegedly threw a bottle at Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker during a game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

Police said when they tried to arrest Raymond Maniaci, of Wyckoff, N.J., Peterson, his hometown friend, got between them and Maniaci and refused to step away.

Along with his girlfriend, Amy Grossberg, Peterson pleaded guilty in 1998 to manslaughter in the November 1996 death of their newborn son at a motel room in Delaware.

Peterson was given a two year sentence, six months shorter than Grossberg's, after he agreed to testify against her. He was released after 1.5 years behind bars and is serving two years probation.

Corrections officials have not decided if the recent arrest will have any effect on his probation status, Litman said.