Recently, two young men from New York City, who were apparently Raiders fans, got into an argument at a football game with a lone Baltimore Ravens fan. Although it happened at a Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders game, and the fight occurred between two Raiders fans from New York that attended the game in Baltimore, this incident could just as easily have happened in Chicago. It’s relevant to all Americans as we are now fully into another football season. The argument first turned physical when one of the fans became angry that another person cut in front while waiting in line for food and drinks. An argument ensued, one person was hit from behind in the head and the fan hit the ground in an unconscious state. Now the Ravens fan is on life support, with a 30 percent chance of survival, and not able to breathe without assistance. The boys from New York City are facing charges of assault under Maryland law.
If this fight had occurred at a Bears Game at Soldiers Field, our two young sports enthusiasts would likely be facing very serious felony charges, including but not limited to: aggravated battery based upon great bodily harm, aggravated battery based upon permanent injury or disfigurement, aggravated battery based upon a battery committed on or about a public way, mob action, and possibly attempt murder. Although hopefully the victim will recover fully in this case, in the event of a death, the young New Yorkers would likely be facing murder charges in Maryland, and the same could be said if it happened here in Illinois.
Sports like Football are a huge part of our American way of life. Professional teams give a city like Chicago a sense of pride and accomplishment when they win. However, the ugly side of “fandemonium” all too often involves getting into fights over one’s love of a team, and has gotten well out of hand over the years. Before you get into a fight over something as trivial as what team you like, think about how much you might enjoy the games from your prison cell. But if you do find yourself in a situation where you are facing criminal charges, call the experienced Chicago criminal defense lawyers at Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC. at (312) 644-0444 for a free, no obligation consultation immediately.
