Matt Bush
EL CAJON, Calif. -
It's judgment day for Matt Bush at the El Cajon Courthouse. The former Padres first draft pick made a public apology in court just moments before learning his fate.
"I would like to apologize to the Granite Hills lacrosse team and to those individuals, parents and families," Bush said. "The way I acted was a disgrace, and I take responsibility for what comes to me because of my actions."
The judge gave him three years probation with no alcohol and ordered him to serve 120 days in residential alcohol treatment and 240 hours of community service following his treatement. Bush also admitted to the court that he has an alcohol problem and doesn't like how he behaves when he gets drunk.
Last February, Bush attacked and assaulted four Granite Hills High School students on campus. Bush pled guilty to charges of assaulting those students, driving recklessly and committing vandalism in separate incidents. Sonia DiStefano is the mother of one of the high school students and calls the apology empty words. She came to Bush's sentencing to hear what he had to say.
"I think he said what he needed to say, what the judge wanted to hear," DiStefano said.
This East county mother feels Bush's punishment isn't harsh enough considering his most recent brush with the law. In June, Bush was caught on tape as San Diego Police officers arrested him for drunk driving and resisting arrest.
"He's been in trouble enough times now that I think he needs an awakening before he actually kills somebody," DiStefano said.
In addition to his probation, Bush has to stay away from Granite Hills High and the 4 lacrosse students he assaulted. Those students are: Devin DiStefano, Kevin Jimenez, Cody Barahona and Darnell Narducci.
"This is your chance to redeem yourself and we're all rooting for you," Judge DeAnn Salcido said.
Judge Salcido says she'll hold review hearings to make sure the 23-year-old completes his treatment.
"If there's any hiccup along this path, I will put you in jail," Judge Salcido said.
But DiStefano feels Bush has been given special consideration and will soon be up to his old ways.
"I think he's destined to do something more serious and really hurt somebody, and then ask why me?" DiStefano said.
"I would like to apologize to the Granite Hills lacrosse team and to those individuals, parents and families," Bush said. "The way I acted was a disgrace, and I take responsibility for what comes to me because of my actions."
The judge gave him three years probation with no alcohol and ordered him to serve 120 days in residential alcohol treatment and 240 hours of community service following his treatement. Bush also admitted to the court that he has an alcohol problem and doesn't like how he behaves when he gets drunk.
Last February, Bush attacked and assaulted four Granite Hills High School students on campus. Bush pled guilty to charges of assaulting those students, driving recklessly and committing vandalism in separate incidents. Sonia DiStefano is the mother of one of the high school students and calls the apology empty words. She came to Bush's sentencing to hear what he had to say.
"I think he said what he needed to say, what the judge wanted to hear," DiStefano said.
This East county mother feels Bush's punishment isn't harsh enough considering his most recent brush with the law. In June, Bush was caught on tape as San Diego Police officers arrested him for drunk driving and resisting arrest.
"He's been in trouble enough times now that I think he needs an awakening before he actually kills somebody," DiStefano said.
In addition to his probation, Bush has to stay away from Granite Hills High and the 4 lacrosse students he assaulted. Those students are: Devin DiStefano, Kevin Jimenez, Cody Barahona and Darnell Narducci.
"This is your chance to redeem yourself and we're all rooting for you," Judge DeAnn Salcido said.
Judge Salcido says she'll hold review hearings to make sure the 23-year-old completes his treatment.
"If there's any hiccup along this path, I will put you in jail," Judge Salcido said.
But DiStefano feels Bush has been given special consideration and will soon be up to his old ways.
"I think he's destined to do something more serious and really hurt somebody, and then ask why me?" DiStefano said.
