Johnson Gets Probation in Pistol Trial

Suspended Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson received a conditional discharge and 12 months’ probation today for pointing a starter’s pistol at a motorist in a traffic dispute last fall.

Johnson, who earlier pleaded not guilty to common assault and possession of a dangerous weapon, agreed Monday to change his plea to guilty after the Crown dropped the weapons charge.

“It was agreed by all parties that it was a serious charge,” Judge Ian MacDonnell said today when sentencing Johnson on the assault charge.

‘Degree of Compassion’

The judge said he had a “certain degree of compassion” for Johnson, considering the circumstances at the time.

Last October, Johnson pointed a starter’s pistol out an open window of his black Porsche at a driver of a pickup truck who had attempted to keep him from passing on the shoulder of the six-lane Highway 401.

When Johnson tried to pass on the inside lane, he was also cut off, said his lawyer, Martin Kerbel.

The truck driver told police that he hated shoulder runners and that if Johnson had tried the maneuver “he would have squashed him,” Kerbel told the packed courtroom.

“He (Johnson) overreacted to the situation . . . certainly not wanting to harm anyone but just to be left alone.”

Living in Fish Bowl

Kerbel said Johnson had been living in a fish bowl because he had been disgraced at last fall’s Seoul Olympics when he tested positive for steroid use and lost a gold medal and world record in the 100-meter sprint.

The day before the assault and weapon charges were filed, Johnson was given a speeding ticket while trying to escape newsmen on the same highway.

Johnson, wearing a baggy striped shirt and loose-fitting black trousers for his court appearance, signed autographs for workers during a recess.

A conditional discharge is issued if the court does not believe that there is any need to punish the accused by sending him to jail or issuing a fine.