The Pittsford man accused of shoving an autistic Syracuse runner to the ground in Cobb’s Hill Park pleaded “not guilty” to a second degree harassment charge in City Court this morning.
Martin MacDonald paid his $500 bail and was released. He surrendered to police at his lawyer’s office on Thursday. He and his lawyer had no comment when leaving court.
City Court Judge Caroline Morrison has recused herself from the case. She said from the bench that she didn’t actually deny the first arrest warrant for Martin MacDonald; she sent it back and asked for more information.
The 57-year-old white man from Pittsford was charged after decking a black 15-year-old runner from a Syracuse high school’s cross country team.
Chase Coleman was running in an invitational meet through the park when he got confused about the route and ended up running in front of MacDonald’s car. MacDonald told police he thought the autistic and nonverbal teenager was either high on drugs or making fun of him, and he thought the teen was planning to snatch his wife’s purse.