Suspects Plead Not Guilty In Beating Death Of Man Outside Citizens Bank Park
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Three men pled not guilty on Wednesday to charges of beating a man to death in a parking lot outside Citizens Bank Park in July, 2009.
In his opening statement, prosecutor Richard Sax recounted a day of heavy drinking, trash talking and fighting, first in the stands at Citizens Bank Park, later in McFadden's Sports Bar, and finally in the Jetro parking lot. It was there that Sax said defendants James Groves, Charles Bowers and Frank Kirchner savagely attacked 22-year-old David Sale of Lansdale.
But defense attorneys described Sale as drunk, arrogant and obnoxious, a person spoiling for a fight.
Kirchner's attorney, Jack McMahon, described the parking lot scene as chaotic. He denied his client ever touched Sale. He claimed Kirchner never even saw the victim.
Bowers attorney also denied his client fought with Sale, while Groves' attorney admits Groves punched Sale twice in the torso, but then backed off.
Reported by Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio.
