The tragic one-year anniversary of Bryan Stow's beating at Dodger Stadium (March 31) is fast approaching, but a year of separation from the event has brought little closure to the Stow family and the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Stow, a Santa Cruz man and Santa Clara EMT with family in Capitola, spoke on camera with NBC in December for the first time since being brutally mauled.
In May, a suit was filed on behalf of Stow and his children against the Los Angeles Dodgers claiming owner Frank McCourt and other Dodgers officials were responsible for the beating as owners of the building, which the suit says lacks sufficient security.
According to MLB.com, on Feb. 3, the Dodgers filed a motion against those claims on the grounds that "Stow cannot prove any link between additional security steps he contended should have been taken and his injuries or that the security staffing that day caused his injuries."
Two men, Marvin Norwood and Louis Sanchez, have been arrested in connection with the beating. Stow's suit argues that because Norwood and Sanchez are known criminals or gang members, the Dodgers should have provided him with an escort from their presence. The Dodgers contend that "Stow never asked for an escort and there is no evidence that the assailants are known criminals or gang members."
In light of the Dodgers' response to the case, fans on both sides of the NL West divide have spoken out. See an array of their responses below and tell us what you think in the comments.
Freddy Sherman, fan/Yahoo! Sports columnist: "As a Dodger fan who attended many games at Dodger Stadium, I was aware of both the lack of security and the prevalence of a thug-ish element, which, when combined with alcohol, causes a really bad combination. I agree with the Stow family's contention that the Dodgers are (at least partially) liable for the injuries as they were negligent in providing a secure environment for fans."
NatsReds4DodgersinDC via Dodgers.com:"That it happened on Dodger property doesn't matter. Property owners must protect against KNOWN dangerous conditions, and this wasn't known because there wasn't a history."
Pete Baker via Yahoo! Sports: "I'd like to think that all the places to go in LA that I'd be safe at a ball game. It wasnt directly the Dodgers' fault however some responsibility should be aimed in their direction. I also feel strongly that this case should have never gone to court. It should have been discussed and dealt with behind closed doors months ago."
Anonymous via Dodgers.com: "Anyone who is too scared to go to Dodger Stadium, they're not from LA. There's only one simple rule to live by, so all Giants fans and everyone one else at Dodgers stadium: Don't start none, there wont be none!"
Manuel via Yahoo! Sports: "I don't agree with what happened to him. But everyone is responsible for their own actions. Stow was not as innocent as people say. He and his friends were taunting people and the messed with the wrong people."
BurbankDodger via Dodgers.com: "I have always gone to at least 20 games a year but over the last few years I've been going less and less. Im proud to say last year I went to ZERO games. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that Dodger Stadium isn't safe. I will probably never go again because I honestly believe it is impossible to take your family there and not feel threatened."
Ras Joseph via Yahoo! Sports: "Shouldn't there be regulations on certain things, like especially if you wear opposing colors you might have a chance of being put into a coma. This isn't O.K. because L.A. is well known for their gang activity."
Anonymous via Dodgers.com: "I feel sorry for the Stow family. I'm a paramedic myself. It's sad that it happened and blackened the game a little. But Wal-Mart doesn't provide security. Does that mean if someone punches me in the parking lot I should file a lawsuit against them for Wal-Mart failing to provide for my security? No way. If something occurred in the stands that concerned Stow then he should have then told security or an usher. To say that Dodgers allowed known gang members in the stadium is absurd. How is a baseball team going to know who's a previous criminal? And last I looked it's not against the law for a gang member to legally attend a game. Not to mention it's L.A., a third of the crowd is probably a gang member."
SoBlu via Dodgers.com: "Frank gutted the security, and provided only the bare minimum. You get what you pay for. Now pay the man's medical bills."
Where do you stand on the debate? Tell us in the comments!
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