White boaters plead guilty in Montgomery riverfront brawl; charge dismissed against Black riverboat co-captain
The Montgomery Police Department says the co-captain, who was sued by one of the white men, was a victim in the assaults
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Two white boaters on Friday pleaded guilty to harassment charges in connection with an Alabama riverfront braw that drew national attention.
A judge on Thursday also dismissed an assault charge filed by one of the white boaters against the riverboat co-captain. The Montgomery Police Department said the co-captain was a victim in the assaults.
The two men pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge as part of a plea deal, according to court records. The August riverfront melee in Montgomery drew national attention after bystanders filmed white boaters hitting a Black riverboat co-captain and then crew members and bystanders rushing to his defense.
Video of the fight was shared widely online, sparking countless memes and parodies.
Montgomery police said the brawl began when the white boaters refused to move their pontoon boat so the city-owned Harriott II riverboat could dock in its designated space. The boat’s co-captain said he was attacked after moving the pontoon boat a few feet to make way for the riverboat.
Crime
Marvin Haynes, imprisoned at 16 for murder, released after judge overturns conviction
Thomas Malik spent 27 years in prison based partly on statement from a man who lied so often that a court barred him from being an informant
Man who harassed Black neighbors, hurled racial slurs, gets 8 years in prison
White boaters plead guilty in Montgomery riverfront brawl; charge dismissed against Black riverboat co-captain
Martin Luther King Jr. birthplace splashed with gas; woman charged with attempted arson
Kodak Black arrested on cocaine charges in South Florida
After talking about Black man, cops showed picture of ape at training seminar, state says
Jonathan Majors avoided looking at photos of his ex’s injured ear and finger during trial
The guilty pleas concluded the last of the criminal cases brought against four white boaters in connection with the melee. The two men were ordered to complete an anger management class and perform community service. They will not serve any jail time unless they violate probation terms.
One white boater previously pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to serve 32 days in jail. Another white boater pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment. A Black man, who was filmed swinging a folding chair during the brawl, is charged with disorderly conduct and will go to court next week.
Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrio’s newsletter.
The post White boaters plead guilty in Montgomery riverfront brawl; charge dismissed against Black riverboat co-captain appeared first on TheGrio.
