2 men charged following death of fan during Patriots-Dolphins game
The New England Patriots logo at midfield before a September 7, 2017 NFL opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Photo Credit: Steve DelVecchio/Larry Brown Sports
Two men have been charged following the death of a fan during a September contest between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
John Vieira, 59, and Justin Mitchell, 39, got into a fight with 53-year-old Dale Mooney on Sept. 17 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Vieira and Mitchell both struck Mooney during the incident, which led to the latter’s death.
Vieira and Mitchell, both residents of Warwick, R.I., were charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct earlier this month for their involvement in the altercation.
Mooney had a cardiac issue after taking blows during the fight. He was brought to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass., where he was pronounced dead.
The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office ruled Mooney’s death to be a homicide. Onlookers captured several videos that provided authorities with multiple angles of the incident.
However, the evidence provided was deemed insufficient to trigger criminal prosecution on charges related to homicide, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey.
Both Vieira and Mitchell are scheduled for a court appearance in January.
Mooney was a lifelong Patriots fan who had been a season-ticker holder for 30 years.
