Ravens fan John Callis cites cocaine, alcohol addiction as judge denies bail in viral video assault case
The Ravens fan who was captured on video pummeling two Commanders fans on Oct.13 has been denied bail.John Callis, 24, turned himself into Baltimore police earlier this week on charges of first-degree aggravated assault and second-degree assault.Callis’ defense attorney, Brian Thompson, lobbied for Callis to be released into an outpatient rehab program “for his yearslong cocaine addiction and alcoholism,” according to the Baltimore Sun.
State’s Attorney Twila Driggins advocated for Callis to be held without bail, calling him a threat to public safety and indicating that he could be a potential flight risk as he resides in Florida.The prosecutor also cited previous arrests of Callis for which he was sentenced to probation, and said that the two 23-year-old Commanders fans that he beat up were “humiliated” by the incident going viral and were concerned that Callis could be released.
Baltimore District Court judge LaTina Burse Greene ultimately sided with the state’s attorney and denied bail, but indicated that she could modify her ruling if Callis found an inpatient program that was combined with 24/7 GPS monitoring and house arrest.In an interview with WJZ outside court, Thompson elaborated.
“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.“Is it disappointing he wasn’t allowed to be put in this OnePromise 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.”In the video, which took place after the Ravens defeated the Commanders 30-23 last Sunday, Callis could be seen approaching the two Commanders fans and punching, kicking and slamming them — seemingly out of nowhere.“I don’t lose! I don’t f–king lose!” Callis yelled into the phone camera of the man recording him.Fox...