Man charged after demise of fan at Patriots sport says "In fact I'm harmless" – CBS Boston

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By Christina Hager
Up to date on: January 19, 2024 / 12:25 PM EST / CBS Boston
WRENTHAM – John Vieira, one of many two males criminally charged after the demise of New England Patriots fan Dale Mooney at Gillette Stadium final fall, stated he was harmless after his first court docket look within the case Friday.
Vieira, 59, of Warwick, Rhode Island, was arraigned in a brief listening to at Wrentham District Court docket. He pleaded not responsible to prices of assault and battery and disorderly conduct associated to the struggle within the stands on September 17, 2023. 
Vieira didn’t have an legal professional and requested for a public defender to characterize him. He was launched on a promise to return to court docket on February 26 for a pre-trial listening to and was ordered to keep away from Gillette Stadium and Mooney’s household.
Vieira would not speak to reporters outdoors court docket after the listening to, however did briefly reply to 1 query, saying “In fact I am harmless.”
Mooney, 53, died after collapsing throughout a brawl with a bunch of followers within the stands throughout a sport between the Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. Vieira and 39-year-old Justin Mitchell of Warwick have been charged in December after a protracted investigation into the brawl. Mitchell can be arraigned on the identical prices on January 26.
The health worker dominated Mooney’s demise was a murder, however that he had coronary heart illness and died when the struggle despatched his coronary heart into an irregular rhythm. The Norfolk District Lawyer’s Workplace stated there wasn’t sufficient proof to cost Vieira and Mitchell with inflicting Mooney’s demise.
Court docket paperwork launched Friday exhibits there have been two fights that evening, during which police wrote that Mooney was a keen participant, even saying he initiated a struggle at one level. However then police targeted on Vieira saying, “Through the battle, Mr. Viera punches Mr. Mooney within the space of the pinnacle one time. This appears to be like to be the glancing blow.”
Christina Hager is an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter with the I-Group at WBZ-TV Information. She has spent greater than twenty years overlaying main breaking information occasions throughout the nation, together with intensive day by day protection of the coronavirus pandemic.
First revealed on January 19, 2024 / 9:22 AM EST
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