Youth coach cleared of gun-brandishing charge

Youth coach cleared of gun-brandishing charge

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — A youth baseball coach has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct related to a dispute over several calls made during a game but was cleared of charges he brandished a gun during the altercation.

John Zahradnik must pay a $150 fine for the plea entered Tuesday before a Lackawanna County magistrate but had a more serious misdemeanor count withdrawn.

Scranton police said the Archbald man was arguing with several other people over calls in a game last month when he nearly ran over another man with his truck and later reached into the vehicle and pulled out a gun.

Zahradnik’s attorney says his client doesn’t own a gun and city police failed to conduct a complete investigation.