Patriots fan Dale Mooney was not killed by a beating at a game – but may have succumbed to a ‘medical issue,’ an autopsy has revealed.
Mooney, 53, died after being beaten by a Miami Dolphins fan at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Norfolk County District’s attorney’s office said the autopsy did identify an undisclosed ‘medical issue’ that may have contributed to his death.
DA Michael Morrissey confirmed that the issue was a potential contributor to his death, but the case will require further testing.
He added that the two blows delivered by the Dolphins fan did not cause fatal injuries to Mooney.
Morrissey said: ‘Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Mooney’s collapse during the Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium.
‘Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue. Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing.
Dale Mooney was NOT killed by Miami Dolphins fan’s beating and may have succumbed to ‘medical issue’, autopsy of Patriots supporter filmed brawling reveals
Patriots fan Dale Mooney was not killed by a beating at a game – but may have succumbed to a ‘medical issue,’ an autopsy has revealed.
Mooney, 53, died after being beaten by a Miami Dolphins fan at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Norfolk County District’s attorney’s office said the autopsy did identify an undisclosed ‘medical issue’ that may have contributed to his death.
DA Michael Morrissey confirmed that the issue was a potential contributor to his death, but the case will require further testing.
He added that the two blows delivered by the Dolphins fan did not cause fatal injuries to Mooney.
Morrissey said: ‘Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Mooney’s collapse during the Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium.
‘Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue. Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing.
‘Our investigation remains open and ongoing. Any eyewitness who has not already been interviewed by police, or anyone in possession of original video of the incident, is asked to contact detectives.’
The exact cause and manner of death are still under investigation, and no criminal charges have been brought.
Legal experts have also warned that charges in the case are likely following the autopsy completion.
Joshua Ritter, a former Los Angeles County prosecutor and partner at El Dabe Ritter, told DailyMail.com: ‘The fan or fans who were involved could potentially be charged with involuntary manslaughter, but it’s unlikely that they would be charged with anything more serious, such as murder.
‘Or alternatively, prosecutors could decide not to file any charges at all. With respect to the preliminary autopsy result suggesting the victim had a medical issue that contributed to his death, in criminal law a victim is supposed to be taken as they are.
‘That means if someone took an action against a victim that was so minor that it’s not reasonable to conclude that someone could die from that, then prosecutors are not likely to pursue charges that would tie the offender to the victim’s death.
