Second Rhode Island man pleads not guilty to charges related to Patriots fan’s death

WRENTHAM, Mass. — A second Rhode Island man charged with assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the death of a fan at a New England Patriots game pleaded not guilty Friday.

In a brief court appearance, Justin Mitchell, 39, was arraigned in Wrentham District Court on allegations that he and 59-year-old John Vieira, both of Warwick, Rhode Island, had 53-year-old Dale Mooney of Newmarket, New Hampshire beaten. Vieira pleaded not guilty last week.

Mitchell was ordered to stay away from Gillette Stadium, Mooney’s family and any witnesses.

Investigators say Mooney was punched during an altercation during the September 17 game, which ended in a 24-17 victory for the visiting Miami Dolphins. Mooney was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner provided preliminary evidence that did not indicate a traumatic injury but did indicate a medical problem, the district attorney’s office said. The cause and manner of death had not been determined at that time, pending further investigation.

Final rulings made to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office ruled the manner of death a homicide. The cause of death has been determined as “probable cardiac arrhythmia in an individual with severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a physical altercation.”

A review of the available evidence, including autopsy results and multiple video footage of the incident, has not provided a basis for criminal prosecution of murder charges in Mooney’s death, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said.