Medford, Ore. — The trial of a Medford man arrested in a brawl at the Harry and David field last summer began and ended on Tuesday. John Bowling was taken into police custody when the riot broke out, following a mixed martial arts event at the stadium over a year ago. Tuesday afternoon, a jury found him not guilty on all charges.
Bowling was one of seven people arrested, when law enforcement from all over the valley responded to the nearly 50 person riot last September. In court, Bowling was found not guilty on all charges of riot, assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
Bowling admitted to drinking that night at the MMA event. He was accused of fighting with a girl, and punching another man when the fights in the crowd broke out. To be found not guilty, at least 10 out of the 12 jurors had to vote for that outcome.
Witnesses we spoke to that night say two groups of intoxicated people started fighting inside the stadium before taking it to the parking lot. The general manager of Harry and David field says it’s the first time they’ve ever had a situation like that, or hosted an MMA fight. He said they won’t host one again.
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