2 Charged in Fatal Assault of Newmarket, NH Man at Patriots Game

Two Rhode Island men are facing criminal assault charges in connection with the death of a Newmarket man at Gillette Stadium during a Patriots game.

Dale Mooney, 53, was in need of "medical attention" during the Sept. 17 game and taken to a hospital where he later died. A video obtained by WCVB TV shows Mooney standing in a walkway in the 300 section as a fight breaks out. Mooney walks down some stairs and is punched at least twice before collapsing.

His wife Lisa told WCVB that her husband was "taunted" during the game by Miami Dolphins fans.

John D. Vieira, 59, and Justin A. Mitchell, 39, both of Warwick, are charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct by Foxborough Police, according to the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office. They will be arraigned on different dates in January.

The cause of death has been ruled as “probable cardiac dysrhythmia in a person with severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a physical altercation.” The manner of death was ruled to be homicide.

Cardiac dysrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heartbeat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A dysrhythmia may not show any symptoms

"The review of the available evidence, including the autopsy results and multiple angles of video capturing the incident, did not determine that the evidence established a basis for criminal prosecution of charges related to homicide in Mr. Mooney’s death," Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said in a statement.

Morrissey also thanked people for coming forward with their personal video of the incident to assist with the investigation.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via X (Twitter) @DanAlexanderNH