Mutual combat

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Mutual combat, a term commonly used in United States courts, occurs when two individuals intentionally and consensually engage in a fair fight, [1] [2] while not hurting bystanders or damaging property. There have been numerous cases where this concept was successfully used in defense of the accused. [3] In some cases, mutual combat may result in killings. [4]

Contents

Notable examples

In 2012, MMA fighter Ben Fodor, in character as Phoenix Jones, engaged in a street fight in Seattle; police officers did not intervene or make arrests afterward. [5] A video of the fight went viral. [6] The Seattle Police Department later defended their officers for not intervening, with a police sergeant being paraphrased as stating "a rarely used city law allows fighting as long as both people agree to it, no bystanders are hurt, and no property is damaged." [3] Seattle Municipal Code 12A.06.025 appears to be the relevant statute. [7]

Also in 2012, Gabriel Aubry and Olivier Martinez engaged in mutual combat and were not charged. [8] In 2014, after Zac Efron had engaged in a fight in Skid Row, law enforcement officials did not make any arrests because they viewed it as mutual combat. [9]

Mutual combat has been used to deny damage claims, [10] as a legal defense, [11] and to drop charges against fighting students. [12]

Oregon law

Oregon law specifically bans mutual combat, according to subsection three of ORS 161.215: "a person is not justified in using physical force upon another person if: the physical force involved is the product of a combat by agreement not specifically authorized by law."

See also

References

  1. ↑ Heckman, Candace (April 6, 2001). "Police break up teen boxing match at park". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Redmond, Washington. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ Martinez, Fidel (November 15, 2012). "Civilian crime fighter knocks out disorderly man". The Daily Dot . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Shiers, Frank (November 12, 2012). "Seattle police stand by and watch Phoenix Jones fistfight". KIRO-FM/MYNorthwest.com. Bonneville International . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  4. ↑ Dolan, Maura (August 28, 2001). "2 Rulings on Gangs Help, Hurt Prosecutors". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ Schauffler, Allen (November 9, 2012). "'Superhero' Phoenix Jones gets into street brawl as officers watch". KING-TV . Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  6. ↑ Raftery, Jillian (November 12, 2012). "Phoenix Jones fist fight video goes viral". KIRO-FM/MYNorthwest.com. Bonneville International . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Title 12A" (PDF).
  8. ↑ "Gabriel Aubry Drops Restraining Order Against Olivier Martinez". Fox News Latino . December 3, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  9. ↑ Grossman, Samantha (March 27, 2014). "Zac Efron Got Punched In the Face During a Brawl on Skid Row". Time . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Court Denies Pair Damages". Reading Eagle . November 16, 1966. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. ↑ Serna, Joseph (February 26, 2015). "Slain Fox exec was in 'mutual combat' with alleged killer, lawyer says". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. ↑ Boyer, Barbara (March 3, 2001). "Abraham Drops Charges Against 3 Black Students Charged In A Racial Fight At A Northeast High School, Two Were Victims And One Was Not Involved, She Said". Philly.com . Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
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