Two Rhode Island men accused with assault, battery, and disorderly conduct in connection with the September death of a New England Patriots fan have both pleaded not guilty in court.
John Vieira, 59, and Justin Mitchell, 39, both of Warwick, Rhode Island, have appeared in Wrentham District Court over the last few days. The former pled not guilty on January 19, according to CBS News, and the latter did so on Friday morning, according to the Associated Press.
Both males were charged with punching a New England fan during a fight at Gillette Stadium on September 17, when the Patriots hosted the Miami Dolphins for Sunday Night Football. The victim, 53-year-old Dale Mooney of Newmarket, New Hampshire, was transferred to a hospital for treatment but subsequently died.
Both males have been ordered to remain away from Gillette Stadium and Mooney’s family. After his initial hearing, Vieira told reporters, “Of course I’m innocent.” He is expected to appear in court again on February 26. No date has been set for Mitchell’s return to court.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner deemed Mooney’s death a homicide, but noted that he had a heart condition and had an irregular heart rate as a result of the battle. The cause of death was described as “probable cardiac dysrhythmia in a person with severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a physical altercation.”
The Norfolk District Attorney’s office stated that there was insufficient evidence to charge Vieira and Mitchell with directly causing Mooney’s death.
