This Feb. 18, 2011 file photo shows Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones during a patrol of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Seattle's superhero, who has gained fans and a bit of fame as he works the streets of Seattle, was arrested and booked into King County Jail early Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 for investigation of assault after an early morning incident involving pepper spray. His spokesperson says he was breaking up a fight and they have video of the incident. Police say he came up behind a group of people leaving a bar and sprayed them with pepper spray. (AP Photo/seattlepi.com, Joshua Trujillo)
This Feb. 18, 2011 file photo shows Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones during a patrol of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Seattle's superhero, who has gained fans and a bit of fame as he works the streets of Seattle, was arrested and booked into King County Jail early Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 for investigation of assault after an early morning incident involving pepper spray. His spokesperson says he was breaking up a fight and they have video of the incident. Police say he came up behind a group of people leaving a bar and sprayed them with pepper spray. (AP Photo/seattlepi.com, Joshua Trujillo)
In this photo taken Feb. 26, 2011, Self-described superhero Phoenix Jones meets protestors at Westlake Park in Seattle as a rally against police brutality moved from Capitol Hill into downtown. Jones, who has gained fans and a bit of fame as he works the streets of Seattle, was arrested early Sunday after he was accused of assaulting several people with pepper spray. He was booked in county jail on four counts of assault, with arraignment set for Thursday, police said Monday. Jones says he was only trying to stop a street brawl. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Dean Rutz) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; SEATTLEPI.COM OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
This Feb. 16, 2011 photo shows self-styled Seattle superhero "Phoenix Jones," center, in downtown Seattle. Police officers arrested Phoenix Jones early Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, after he was accused of assaulting several people with pepper spray. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
This Feb. 16, 2011 photo shows self-styled Seattle superhero "Phoenix Jones," right, in downtown Seattle. Police officers arrested Phoenix Jones early Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, after he was accused of assaulting several people with pepper spray. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
SEATTLE (AP) ? A self-proclaimed superhero wore a charcoal-colored mask Thursday as he entered a Seattle courtroom where prosecutors said they hadn't yet decide whether to file charges against him in an alleged pepper spray attack.
Phoenix Jones, whose real name is Benjamin John Francis Fodor, was arrested early Sunday after police say he sprayed four people who had left a downtown nightclub. Fodor said he was trying to break up a fight when he was attacked; the club-goers insisted to police they hadn't been fighting.
During the hearing Thursday, a court officer asked Jones to remove his mask and he complied. He also wore a superhero uniform under a button-down shirt.
Prosecutors told a judge they would need more time to decide whether to file charges in the case.
Jones put his mask back on after the hearing to speak with reporters ? then dramatically removed it again to reveal his true identity.
He said he's a father and a brother, and just like anyone else in Seattle.
"I decided to make a difference and stop crime in my neighborhood," he said.
Police spokesman Mark Jamieson reiterated Thursday that intervening in potentially dangerous situations should be left to professional officers.
"If people want to dress up and walk around, knock yourself out," he said. "Our concern is when you insert yourself into these situations without knowing the facts, it's just not a smart thing to do. If you think a situation warrants calling 911, call 911."
Associated Press
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.