Lawsuit Dropped Against Orioles' Alfredo Simon
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A prosecutor overseeing an involuntary manslaughter case against Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon said the investigation will continue even though the victim's family has dropped a civil lawsuit against the player.
Victor Mueses told The Associated Press on Friday that he has evidence against Simon but is still waiting for a ballistics test and analysis of a video taken during the shooting before presenting his case.
Prosecutors have until April 9 to submit a formal charge that would lead to trial.
On Thursday, a judge denied a second request to grant the 29-year-old bail.
Simon is suspected of killing Michel Castillo Almonte, 25, and wounding his 17-year-old brother in the northeast coastal town of Luperon in Puerto Plata. The dead man is Simon's cousin, according to Simon's lawyer, Carlos Olivares.
Mueses said that Simon apparently fired a shot while trying to diffuse a dispute between two women on New Year's Eve.
Olivares has said that his client fired random shots in celebration, but that he is not a suspect in the killing because Simon's cousin was shot in the chest.
Simon could face up to two years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
The pitcher went 4-2 with a 4.93 ERA last season. He had 17 saves.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
