New misdemeanor charge filed against Puckett

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Prosecutors charged former Minnesota Twins star Kirby Puckett with a new misdemeanor assault count in a September incident at an Eden Prairie restaurant.

He's accused of forcing a woman into the men's room and fondling her, the criminal complaint said. His trial is to begin Monday on charges of assault, felony false imprisonment and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor.

Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Al Harris said Thursday that the new charge allows prosecutors "to maintain a full range of options at trial."

The victim said she didn't know the man was Kirby Puckett until a restaurant employee told her who he was.

Puckett's co-defense attorney, B. Todd Jones, said the new charge will not affect his client's defense. He declined to comment further.

Puckett, 43, of Bloomington, left baseball in 1996 because of glaucoma in his right eye.