Bumfights
 

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."

lol, now that's markerting. Excuse me I'm going to go break the law to promote my shit now.

Rufus is da' man!

haha ya, bumfights rocks!

why does it rock?

Have you watched the video ? Its very entertaining and funny :thumbsup

youre a fucking idiot

these people were starving, and the things they had to do for food..

fuck all the assholes that think being in a situation where u have to act like someone in bumfights just to survive is funny

I think they are probably still pretty worried about the pending lawsuits.

Fucking crybaby bitch.

Life sucks.

But then it's all a matter of opinion.
Do you laugh at Jackass?
They made a fortune out of being complete wankers.. [Although some of them were famous before like Bam .. Skater]

If you don't like it, don't watch it. Or better yet, go out there and give them all your money. Jeez.

I say it again.

Life sucks.

Have you actually seen Bumfights? I don't think you should comment until you have. Rufus truly looked like he was having the fucking time of his life. I've never seen a hobo with such a big smile on his face.

no one cares.

dude bum fights was pretty funny.. I will agree a lot of it was tasteless... but still Rufus and specially the Bum Hunter were funny as hell... I didn't see any guns pointed at any bums heads... hell give the bums there 10 mins

Bling Bling The Crack Head is the shit......that guy "cracked" me right up.

http://wastedwebmasters.com/images/smilies/bongsmi.gif

bumhunter:thumbsup

So they were un able to make desitions as a starveing bum?
They werent smart enough to defend them selves?
The poor homless bums!!! Who put em there?
Oh but wait now all of a sudden they have enough inteligence to use words like "I feel like an object of revulsion," he said. "I feel like a freak."

What does Revulsion mean? LOL

Yes I agree it was rather tasteless and all that!!

But so is watching a bum piss on the street when I walk down town!!
So is when they spit on my hood then try to wipe it off with there even dirtier rag!!

So is alot of shit!!!

Fuck!!! I dont know!!! Damn I cant believe they called the fight!! The russian was going to kick his ass!!!!

that is fucking awesome .. i am going to be blowing up a building soon to get my website on the news... hahahaha.. you have to love shameless self marketing man ...

those bums will be on 60 min next week making cash so fuck it .. if they took a little tattoo to the forehead to get there then so be it ..

Life sux get a helmet...

That rocks! I guess my plans are going forward with Crack Ho Smack Down!

wha wha wha

By the way, we still have a couple cases of their DVDs we bought wholesale. Contact me if you want one.

Tasteless, but funny all the same.

Rufus is the man!

"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."

Pimp