Can you believe that they only got a $500 fine and 3 yrs probation??
EL CAJON ? Three men who produced the "Bumfights" video showing homeless people fighting and doing dangerous stunts were sentenced to probation and community service yesterday.
The court hearing ended a case that raised questions about free expression and the morality of profiting from the vulnerability of the homeless and victims of substance abuse.
But if prosecutors thought the sentence would have a sobering effect on Ryan McPherson, 19; Daniel Tanner, 22; and Zachary Bubeck, 25, they were mistaken.
Minutes after being sentenced, the trio smirked, giggled and wisecracked in front of a small clutch of news cameras seeking their reaction.
Bubeck, apparently speaking for the three, repeatedly asked for business cards from reporters. McPherson asked one of the female reporters for her personal phone number, more than once. Tanner s******ed. All three declined to answer questions.
The trio had pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to stage an illegal fight. They were sentenced by Superior Court Judge Charles Ervin to three years' probation and ordered to perform 280 hours of community service working for an organization that assists the homeless. If they violate their probation, they could be ordered to serve a four-month jail sentence.
A fourth producer, Michael Slyman, also was sentenced to probation and community service several weeks ago after pleading guilty to the same charge.
The four initially were charged with more serious felony counts of battery and soliciting a felony, but a judge ruled after a lengthy preliminary hearing that there was insufficient evidence to try them on the more serious counts.
The video, which has reportedly sold more than 300,000 copies via the Internet, depicts homeless people fighting and performing dangerous stunts. Many involve two La Mesa homeless men, Rufus Hannah and Donald Brennan.
Both men appeared in court yesterday and said the experience ? for which they were given food, alcohol and small amounts of money ? has scarred them for life.
They bear tattoos that they got for the film. Brennan's is on his forehead.
"I feel like an object of revulsion," he said. "I feel like a freak."
Both are suing the video's producers in civil court.
Defense attorney Jan Ronis described the outcome as a victory for the First Amendment right to free expression. There have been rumors that a sequel to the video is in the works. The three men declined to comment about that possibility.
Any sequel or future business activity among the four might be complicated by one condition of the probation. Ervin ordered Slyman not to associate with the other three men, and said he would decide at a hearing next week if all of the defendants will be included in that order.
The judge said such a condition, often included in civil injunctions against street gangs, has been ruled constitutional by other courts. Ronis said he would fight it.
Outside court, prosecutor Curtis Ross said he would have to see any future video before determining if any charges would be brought.
Referring to the antics of the three defendants after the sentence, Ross added, "I think that's indicative of how these young adults feel about this crime."
EL CAJON ? Three men who produced the "Bumfights" video showing homeless people fighting and doing dangerous stunts were sentenced to probation and community service yesterday.
The court hearing ended a case that raised questions about free expression and the morality of profiting from the vulnerability of the homeless and victims of substance abuse.
But if prosecutors thought the sentence would have a sobering effect on Ryan McPherson, 19; Daniel Tanner, 22; and Zachary Bubeck, 25, they were mistaken.
Minutes after being sentenced, the trio smirked, giggled and wisecracked in front of a small clutch of news cameras seeking their reaction.
Bubeck, apparently speaking for the three, repeatedly asked for business cards from reporters. McPherson asked one of the female reporters for her personal phone number, more than once. Tanner s******ed. All three declined to answer questions.
The trio had pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to stage an illegal fight. They were sentenced by Superior Court Judge Charles Ervin to three years' probation and ordered to perform 280 hours of community service working for an organization that assists the homeless. If they violate their probation, they could be ordered to serve a four-month jail sentence.
A fourth producer, Michael Slyman, also was sentenced to probation and community service several weeks ago after pleading guilty to the same charge.
The four initially were charged with more serious felony counts of battery and soliciting a felony, but a judge ruled after a lengthy preliminary hearing that there was insufficient evidence to try them on the more serious counts.
The video, which has reportedly sold more than 300,000 copies via the Internet, depicts homeless people fighting and performing dangerous stunts. Many involve two La Mesa homeless men, Rufus Hannah and Donald Brennan.
Both men appeared in court yesterday and said the experience ? for which they were given food, alcohol and small amounts of money ? has scarred them for life.
They bear tattoos that they got for the film. Brennan's is on his forehead.
"I feel like an object of revulsion," he said. "I feel like a freak."
Both are suing the video's producers in civil court.
Defense attorney Jan Ronis described the outcome as a victory for the First Amendment right to free expression. There have been rumors that a sequel to the video is in the works. The three men declined to comment about that possibility.
Any sequel or future business activity among the four might be complicated by one condition of the probation. Ervin ordered Slyman not to associate with the other three men, and said he would decide at a hearing next week if all of the defendants will be included in that order.
The judge said such a condition, often included in civil injunctions against street gangs, has been ruled constitutional by other courts. Ronis said he would fight it.
Outside court, prosecutor Curtis Ross said he would have to see any future video before determining if any charges would be brought.
Referring to the antics of the three defendants after the sentence, Ross added, "I think that's indicative of how these young adults feel about this crime."
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