WRENTHAM, Mass. — Costs have been dropped in opposition to two Rhode Island males in reference to the loss of life of a fan following an altercation at a New England Patriots sport in 2023.
Justin Mitchell and John Vieira had pleaded not responsible to misdemeanor prices of assault and battery and disorderly conduct. They had been accused of punching Dale Mooney, 53, of Newmarket, New Hampshire.
The fees had been dropped Friday “within the curiosity of justice,” Norfolk District Lawyer Michael Morrissey stated in a courtroom submitting. No additional clarification was given.
Investigators stated Mooney was struck throughout an altercation on the Gillette Stadium sport, which resulted in a 24-17 win by the visiting Miami Dolphins. Mooney was taken to a hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless.
“The stadium video clearly confirmed that Mr. Vieira was solely attempting to assist one other particular person defend themselves from an unprovoked assault,” Peter Aspesi, Vieira’s lawyer, stated in an announcement.
A message searching for remark was emailed Tuesday to Mitchell’s lawyer, Daniel Gelb.
The Workplace of Chief Medical Examiner offered preliminary indications that didn’t recommend traumatic damage however recognized a medical concern with Mooney. A ultimate dedication dominated the way of loss of life a murder, with the reason for loss of life as “possible cardiac dysrhythmia in an individual with extreme hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart problems throughout a bodily altercation.”
The overview of the obtainable proof, together with the post-mortem outcomes and a number of angles of video, failed to ascertain a foundation for legal prosecution of prices associated to murder, Morrissey had concluded.
