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Rays Pitcher Arrested At Bar Won't Face Formal Charges

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By THOMAS W.  KRAUSE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2008

TAMPA - Prosecutors have decided not to file formal charges against a Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher who was arrested outside the Hyde Park Café in April.

Al Reyes, who was celebrating his 38th birthday at the South Tampa bar, was arrested by Tampa police on a misdemeanor charge of affray.

"The facts of the case did not meet the definition of affray," Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said.

To charge someone with affray, prosecutors must prove he entered into a fight.

Reyes was leaving the Hyde Park Café about 2:30 a.m. April 11. Witnesses told police he collided with a ceramic pot then exchanged words with another man, Eduardo Mora, apparently thinking Mora had pushed him.

Mora punched Reyes in the face, police said.

Witnesses told police Reyes was spitting blood and swinging his arms. An officer working security that night warned Reyes to stop, but he did not, police said.

The officer used a police Taser on Reyes and he fell to the ground. When Reyes did not remain on the ground, as the officer instructed, the officer used the Taser a second time.

Reyes was released on his own recognizance. He later apologized to the community.

Prosecutors moved forward with a misdemeanor battery charge against Mora. He has pleaded not guilty and his case is pending.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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