Prior to being stunned by a Taser and apprehended by Cincinnati police while on the field at Great American Ball Park during a Cincinnati Reds game Tuesday night, William Hendon executed a backflip.
“You seem to have landed that backflip,” observed Municipal Court Judge William Mallory during Hendon’s arraignment on Wednesday morning.
Appearing in Hamilton County Municipal Court for his arraignment, 19-year-old Hendon from Cleves stands accused of trespassing onto the field during a Cincinnati Reds game at Great American Ball Park.
“I’m pretty sure I did,” replied Hendon, who attended court still dressed in a Reds jersey.
According to court records, Hendon faces charges of felony criminal trespass and obstructing official business, the latter a misdemeanor. Prosecutors successfully petitioned for reducing the felony trespassing charge to a misdemeanor.
A sophomore at Ohio State University, Hendon pleaded not guilty. He is the grandson of Sylvia Sieve Hendon, a retired judge from Hamilton County who later served on the Ohio First District Court of Appeals.
While the hearing took place at the Hamilton County Justice Center, Sylvia Sieve Hendon remained in the hallway.
The Enquirer reached out to Sylvia Hendon for comment but received no immediate response.
Video footage confirms Hendon ran onto the field during the Reds-Cleveland Guardians game Tuesday night. When approached by an officer, Hendon performed a backflip and attempted to flee before police subdued him with a Taser.
An officer’s complaint states Hendon knowingly entered the Reds’ playing field without authorization, while another document alleges he deliberately obstructed a public official’s lawful duties by attempting to evade arrest.
“You’ve had your 15 minutes of fame, Mr. Hendon; you’re a star,” remarked Judge Mallory.
Cincinnati police Lt. Jonathan Cunningham announced an investigation into the officer’s use of the Taser to apprehend Hendon.
“The officers acted swiftly to ensure the game continued uninterrupted for players and fans,” Cunningham stated in a release.
Hendon was processed into the Hamilton County Justice Center at 10:51 p.m. and held overnight without bond.
Judge Mallory allowed Hendon to remain free on his own recognizance but barred him from entering Great American Ball Park. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 3.
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