Prosecutors decided to level a felony charge against New York Mets outfielder Vince Coleman because of the explosive power of a large firecracker he tossed outside Dodger Stadium.
Coleman on Tuesday was charged with unlawful possession of an explosive device, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of three years in state prison. He is expected to surrender next week.Three people were injured July 24 when the explosive was thrown from a jeep as autograph-seekers waited outside the players' parking lot after a game.
Arson investigators said Coleman threw something similar to an M-100 - an explosive equivalent to a quarter-stick of dynamite and packed with between 200 and 300 grains of gunpowder. A normal firecracker contains just a few grains of explosive powder.
Bill Hodgman, the district attorney's central operations director, said prosecutors chose to file a felony charge rather than a misdemeanor because of the strength of the explosive and the injuries.
An attorney for Coleman, 31, said the player does not wish to contest the charge and wants to reach a financial settlement with the injured parties.
"I take full responsibility for a very childish act for which I am suffering greatly. It was never my intent to hurt anyone. My main concern is for those injured," Coleman said in a statement released by attorney Robert Shapiro.
In Montreal on Tuesday night, Coleman left the team. Gerry Hunsicer, the Mets vice president of baseball operations, said Coleman would not be back until next week.
"He is very stressed by the situation," Shapiro said. "He hasn't been able to sleep and he is very, very concerned for those who have been hurt and for himself."
Fire battalion chief Dean Cathey said his department carried out the investigation and talked to about 24 witnesses.
Each year, Cathey said, his department spends $500,000 "to discourage people from doing what this person (Coleman) is alleged to have done. This year alone, we've had absolutely zero fire loss and no injuries as a result of the direct use of fireworks - until this."
The explosion injured Amanda Santos, 2, who suffered second-degree burns to her cheek and damage to an eye and finger. Marshall Savoy, 11, suffered a bruised leg. Cindy Mayhew, 33, of Covina was treated for an ear injury.