Two men appear in court on California assault and mayhem charges

 Posted on July 26, 2011 in Criminal Defense

This blog reported the story of the arrest last week, and that another person originally arrested related to the Dodger Stadium incident has been exonerated. Now, police and prosecutors have released more details about the new arrests as two men have been charged in the matter.

The 29 and 30-year-old men appeared in court on charges of assault and mayhem. Mayhem involves serious allegations. Under California law, a charge of mayhem involves allegations of serious injury of another person. The 29-year-old man is also accused of battery related to allegations arising inside the stadium, during the opening day game.

At the time the two men were arrested, a 31-year-old woman was also taken into custody on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact. The woman was later released and not charged. Police say the woman is the sister of the 29-year-old and engaged to the other man accused of beating Santa Cruz resident Brian Stow after the game. Law enforcement says the woman has implicated the two men in the incident.

Law enforcement says they reviewed several hundred tips that came in regarding the case that received national attention. Police say several reports regarding unruly behavior inside the stadium helped to lead them to suspect the two newly charged men. Police claim the two men who are now accused of the beating also bragged about the incident to co-workers. Prosecutors say the 29-year-old man accused in the matter later told the potential witnesses to keep quiet about the incident.

Law enforcement says they have reviewed cell-phone records and photographs that reportedly place the two men at the game on opening day. Both men deny involvement in the beating.

At Monday's court hearing the judge set bail at $500,000 for each man. The 29-year-old faces up to 9 years in prison, if convicted of the current charges. The 30-year-old faces an eight year prison term, if found guilty.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Bryan Stow beating suspect allegedly assaulted 2 others," Richard Winton, Jack Leonard and Andrew Blankstein 26 Jul 2011