In a court appearance on Friday, John Vieira, a 59-year-old resident of Warwick, Rhode Island, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery and disorderly conduct in relation to the tragic events that led to the death of New England Patriots fan Dale Mooney at Gillette Stadium last fall. Vieira, one of the two men criminally charged, maintains his innocence in the case.

During the arraignment at Wrentham District Court, Vieira, who did not have legal representation, requested a public defender to represent him. He was then released on a promise to return to court on February 26 for a pre-trial hearing, and was ordered to stay away from Gillette Stadium and refrain from contacting Mooney's family.

Following the hearing, Vieira declined to speak to reporters, but briefly responded to one question, asserting his innocence by saying, "Of course I'm innocent."

Dale Mooney, 53, tragically lost his life after collapsing during a brawl with a group of fans in the stands during a game between the Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on September 17, 2023. After a comprehensive investigation into the incident, Vieira, along with 39-year-old Justin Mitchell of Warwick, were charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct in December. Mitchell is scheduled to be arraigned on the same charges on January 26.

The medical examiner ruled Mooney's death as a homicide, attributing it to a combination of heart disease and an abnormal heart rhythm caused by the fight. However, the Norfolk District Attorney's Office stated that there was insufficient evidence to charge Vieira and Mitchell with causing Mooney's death.

Documents released by the court on Friday shed light on the events of that fateful night. It was revealed that there were two separate fights, with police noting that Mooney was a willing participant who even initiated a fight at one point. The focus of the investigation shifted onto Vieira, with police noting that during the struggle, Vieira delivered a glancing blow to Mooney's head.

As the legal proceedings continue, further details will unfold, shedding more light on the tragic incident that took the life of a devoted Patriots fan.