YANKEE STADIUM NET JUMPER CONVICTED

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that Scott Harper, 18, was convicted today for jumping off the upper deck in Yankee Stadium and on the netting behind home plate.
Mr. Harper, of Armonk, New York, pled guilty to one count of Reckless endangerment in the 2nd degree for the August 9, 2005 incident at the Stadium. State Supreme Court Justice Troy Webber set sentencing for Tuesday, September 19, in Part 40.

The plea recommendation by the Bronx District Attorney’s office had been a sentence of probation and restitution to the Yankees for damages caused by Mr. Harper’s actions. That offer was rejected by Mr. Harper. The District Attorney’s office asked the Court to then sentence the defendant to thirty days incarceration.

Under the terms of Justice Webber’s plea agreement Mr. Harper’s sentence will be predicated on the outcome of his subsequent Westchester County case for Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Court made clear that Mr. Harper was an individual in need of supervision and if that was not imposed in his Westchester case, she would sentence him to supervision in the Bronx. Justice Webber did promise Mr. Harper that his sentence would include a lifetime ban from Yankee Stadium as it presently exists and any future Yankee Stadium that may be built on the site.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tama Monoson.