CHICAGO -- A man on probation for running onto the field at
a Chicago White Sox game with his son and attacking a coach has
tested positive for drug use, court records show, and prosecutors
said they will ask a judge to send him to prison.
Prosecutors said the reported drug use would violate the
probation terms for William Ligue Jr.
Ligue, 35, was sentenced in August to 2½ years of probation for
two counts of aggravated battery in the September 2002 attack.
He and his 15-year-old son beat Tom Gamboa at U.S. Cellular
Field as Gamboa coached first base for the visiting Kansas City
Royals. Gamboa lost his hearing.
Ligue tested positive for marijuana three times in December,
according to a report from the Cook County Adult Probation
Department.
Cook County State's Attorney spokesman Tom Stanton said
prosecutors will ask that Ligue be forced to serve at least some
prison time for the apparent violation.
Prosecutors had originally asked a county judge to sentence
Ligue to up to five years in prison.
"We didn't think he was a good risk, and now we are being
proven true," Assistant State's Attorney Bernie Murray said.
Ligue's son was sentenced to five years' probation.
The attack, as well as a later one on an umpire during another
White Sox-Royals game, prompted a state law making it a felony to
illegally enter restricted areas, such as a playing field,
basketball court, locker room or stage. A violation carries up to
three years in prison and a fine of at least $1,000.