May 14, 2008

BREAKING NEWS (11 a.m.): Teen accused in ballpark death to be released on bail

By Will Oremus / Daily News Staff Writer

Taylor Buckley, the San Carlos teen accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Anthony Giraudo outside a San Francisco Giants game Friday, will be released from jail this afternoon on $200,000 bail, his attorney said.

The bail was reduced from $1 million Wednesday morning by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ernest Goldsmith.

Buckley's attorney, Douglas Horngrad, had motioned for it to be set even lower on the grounds that Buckley was a trustworthy young man with strong ties to the community. Assistant District Attorney George Butterworth objected, noting that statutory bail for manslaughter is $300,000 and arguing that Buckley "sucker-punched" the victim.

Some 35 family members and friends, along with Buckley's employer at a San Mateo milkshake shop, turned out for the arraignment. It was his first court appearance since being jailed Saturday night in the death of Giraudo.

A hearing was set for June 25 for Buckley to enter his plea. Horngrad said he plans to plead not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge, which could bring a maximum of four years in state prison.

San Francisco police say Buckley punched Giraudo once in the side of the face around 9:45 p.m. Friday outside AT&T Park, where both had been attending a Giants game. Giraudo dropped to the ground and smacked his head on the pavement, leaving him effectively brain-dead.

He died Saturday in San Francisco General Hospital.

Giraudo, a graduate of Woodside High School, was a first-year student and baseball player at Canada College. Buckley is a senior at Carlmont High School. Authorities said there's no indication that the two knew each other prior to Friday's run-in.


E-mail Will Oremus at woremus@dailynewsgroup.com.