2 held for trial in Dodger Stadium attack

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LOS ANGELES, June 9 (UPI) -- Two Los Angeles men can be tried for an assault outside Dodger Stadium that left a San Francisco Giants fan in a coma, a judge ruled Friday.

Marvin Norwood, 31, and Louie Sanchez. 30, face about a decade behind bars if they are convicted of mayhem and assault, the Los Angeles Times reported. Superior Court Judge George Lomeli scheduled their arraignment for June 22.

Bryan Stow, who was at the Opening Day 2011 game with three other paramedics from the San Francisco area, was assaulted in the parking lot after a game between the Dodgers and Giants. His skull was fractured and he suffered permanent brain damage.

Witnesses at the preliminary hearing described Sanchez, apparently drunk, during the game, and said they saw Stow being punched in the parking lot. Transcripts released after Lomeli made his ruling suggested Norwood and Sanchez themselves could be damaging witnesses for the prosecution.

The two were taped in a police holding cell talking about whether they should claim to have been attacked themselves by a group of "big white dudes." Sanchez called his 10-year-old son "stupid" when Norwood said the boy had told police "everything."

One of the defendants is heard saying police "know everything" and the other saying, "Wow, we're done."

Lomeli said the evidence showed Norwood originally tried to keep Sanchez under control as his friend taunted Giants fans, but then "lost control" and ended up joining Sanchez in the assault.

Dorene Sanchez, Norwood's fiancee and Sanchez's sister, testified for the prosecution after being granted immunity.