John Callis denied bail for viral attack on Commanders fans; defense blames cocaine, alcohol bender
BALTIMORE -- John Callis, the Baltimore Ravens' fan accused of assaulting two 23-year-old men in Federal Hill after a Ravens and Washington Commanders football game on October 13, will stay in jail, for now, a judge ruled on Wednesday.
Callis, 24, faces one count of first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault which carries a maximum of 55 years in jail.
Callis was shown in a viral video wearing a Baltimore Ravens jersey and assaulting the two men with Commanders jerseys, according to police. He turned himself into police on Tuesday.
Callis' lawyer Brian Thompson told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren he believes his client was "overcharged."
"I don't believe this is a first-degree assault. I think it's a second-degree assault. First-degree assault requires serious bodily injury," Thompson said.
Callis' mother was in the courtroom. She became emotional but declined to speak to WJZ following the proceedings.
The viral attack
The attack happened near Cross Street Market in Federal Hill after the Ravens defeated the Commanders in Baltimore.
Charging documents reveal the images that have gone viral on social media showed the second time Callis encountered the victims.
Prosecutors said Callis had already severely beaten them earlier, and they lost personal belongings, including a phone and wallet. Prosecutors allege a video showed him beating them again when they came back to retrieve those items.
One victim was knocked unconscious and later diagnosed with a concussion.
Victims "humiliated"
Prosecutor Twila Driggins told the judge the victims were "humiliated" and "fearful" that Callis would attack again.
Judge LaTina Burse Greene called the evidence against Callis "strong." She said, "It was clearly an unprovoked assault." Judge Greene rejected the defense proposal to release Callis on GPS monitoring to an outpatient treatment facility.
"Of course, it's disappointing. I think he needs help. The criminal justice system is both designed to punish and rehabilitate. He's a 24-year-old kid. He clearly has a problem. He needs help," Thompson said. "And I'm trying to get him help, and I believe the judge will be amenable to it with a different program."
The judge turned down the defense's treatment program recommendation OnePromise.
"I understand the judge's decision, but I certainly believe he can benefit from recovery and can benefit from treatment. And proper treatment will certainly make a difference in Mr. Callis' life," said Danny Smith, from OnePromise.
Troubled history for Callis
In court, WJZ learned Callis admitted to daily cocaine use for the past four years, including the day of the attack.
He got probation before judgment for what prosecutors said was an "alcohol-fueled" assault in Towson in November 2021, when he beat a man unconscious in the middle of York Road.
He also received probation in 2020 for another assault, this one in Delaware, during which prosecutors said he was drunk.
The judge said if the defense can find a suitable inpatient facility, she will release Callis into that program while he awaits trial.
Fired from job
Before the attack, Callis moved to Sarasota, Florida where he lived with his father.
Prosecutors also revealed Callis was identified by his boss after he was sent a copy of the viral video. Callis worked remotely and was fired from the job he started only 34 days earlier.