Warwick men charged in fight that resulted in death of Patriots fan at Gillette Stadium
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — Two Warwick men are facing charges stemming from the death of a New England Patriots fan at Gillette Stadium.
The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that Foxborough police charged 59-year-old John Vieira and 39-year-old Justin Mitchell with assault and battery and disorderly conduct.
Police awaited the Wrentham District Court process to find probable cause in order to bring charges in the death of the death of 53-year-old Dale Mooney.
The charges came after a fight in the stands at the Patriots-Dolphins game on Sept. 17 that ended in Mooney’s death. Emergency personnel tried to save him, but he did not survive.
This is a photo of Dale Mooney. (WMUR)
Police reviewed video footage of the fight, which they said included Mooney, Vieira, Mitchell, and another man.
Police said it appeared Mooney had started the fight, and was punched three times in the head during the altercation.
The district attorney said a preliminary investigation showed Mooney died from a medical issue, and there was no sign of traumatic injury that contributed to his death.
Mooney’s wife, Lisa, told WCVB that to her knowledge, Dale didn’t have any known medical condition.
This is a photo of Dale Mooney and his wife, Lisa. (WMUR)
She claimed her husband, a lifelong Patriots fan, was attacked after other fans taunted him in the stands.
The district attorney determined that Mooney died as a result of “probable cardiac dysrhythmia in a person with severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a physical altercation.”
The manner of death was homicide, but the district attorney said there is no basis for homicide-related charges.
“The review of the available evidence, including the autopsy results and multiple angles of video capturing the incident, did not determine that the evidence established a basis for criminal prosecution of charges related to homicide in Mr. Mooney’s death,” District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a statement.
Vieira and Mitchell are set to be arraigned separately in January 2024.
