By Jeremy Walsh
A former Mets pitcher was convicted last week of assaulting his girlfriend in a hotel near Shea Stadium, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Ambiorix Burgos, 24, whose legal residence is in Beverly Hills, Calif., was found guilty of third−degree assault in Queens Criminal Court Friday, Brown said. He faces up to a year in jail when sentenced April 3, the DA said.
“The defendant stands convicted of brutally attacking his girlfriend during a domestic dispute,” Brown said in a statement. “Violence against women is unacceptable, especially by those in the public eye and who are viewed as heroes by small children.”
Burgos was staying at the Holiday Inn at 37−10 114th St. on Sept. 8, 2008, when his girlfriend, Maria Lopez, 26, of Pennsylvania, attempted to leave. Biorix became enraged, threw her up against the wall and repeatedly punched and slapped her as she held her arms in front of her face.
As she lay on the floor, he stepped on her and then began pummeling her, leaving a lump on her head and bruising to her eye and chest, Brown said.
Lopez testified that she told Burgos she would call the police, but he said “the police won’t do anything to me. I am a baseball player,” the DA said.
Burgos also faces charges in the Dominican Republic after police there said he ran down two pedestrians with his SUV and then fled the scene. Both people died, according to news reports. He posted $57,000 bail after spending three weeks in jail there, according to published reports.
The Mets released Burgos, who had been pitching in the minor leagues after having elbow surgery, in December.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e−mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 154.
