By Torsten Ove
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2006 P.G. Publishing Co.
A suspended Pittsburgh firefighter accused of fighting with police and security guards at a Steelers game after exposing himself to a concession stand worker waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday.
No trial date was set for Lt. Martin Sanders Jr., 39, of Westwood. His attorney said he was trying to reach a plea agreement.
His lawyer, Jack Goodrich, said Lt. Sanders is embarrassed by his conduct and has entered “treatment,” although he wouldn’t elaborate.
“It’s not a happy day for him,” he said. “All I can tell you is he feels remorseful. ... He’s very upset.”
Fire officials said Lt. Sanders called off sick from his shift at the Mount Washington fire station on Oct. 15 to attend the football game, forcing the department to pay another firefighter to replace him.
He was arrested at Heinz Field for allegedly exposing himself at a concession stand and then fighting with police and guards who tried to remove him.
After he was subdued at the stadium with a stun gun, police said, he punched an officer at Allegheny General Hospital who told him to turn his cell phone off.
He has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.
An internal fire department investigation is under way. City firefighters are fired if convicted of felonies. One of the charges Mr. Sanders faces — aggravated assault — is a felony.
He also is charged with several misdemeanors — simple assault, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Convictions on those charges could also cost him his job, although only the felony conviction means certain termination.