Two men charged in the death of lifelong Patriots’ fan after altercation at Gillette Stadium
Two men from Rhode Island, John Vieira (59) and Justin Mitchell (39), are facing charges in the death of 53-year-old Dale Mooney, a devoted New England Patriots fan who passed away after an altercation at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in September. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey revealed that both individuals have been charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct following Mooney’s death on September 17. Initially, videos circulated online showing Mooney engaged in a confrontation with Miami Dolphins fans. Mooney was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Initially, a preliminary autopsy report did not suggest traumatic injury but indicated a medical issue. However, on Thursday, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office officially ruled Mooney’s death as a homicide. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as “Probable cardiac dysrhythmia in a person with severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a physical altercation,” and the manner of death was classified as a homicide.
Despite the homicide ruling, the district attorney’s office stated that the available evidence, including autopsy results and multiple video angles of the incident, did not establish a basis for criminal prosecution related to homicide charges in Mr. Mooney’s death.
In October, the Foxborough Police Department announced that three individuals could potentially face assault and battery as well as disorderly conduct charges in the coming weeks. John Vieira and Justin Mitchell are scheduled to be arraigned next month.
