News

Martial Arts Expert Argues He Pummeled Man in Self Defense

Martial Arts Expert Argues He Pummeled Man in Self Defense

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   A Maine mixed martial art fighter is losing his argument that he was defending himself when he repeatedly punched an unconscious victim in the head.

Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court upheld Richard Matthews’s conviction of aggravated assault for beating a man outside a bar in 2015. The judges say evidence doesn’t support his self-defense claim.

A bouncer testified then-45-year-old Matthews spun the victim around and punched him in the face until he fell to the ground. He says Matthews then sat on top of and repeatedly punched the injured victim.

Matthews says he thought the victim was going to grab his wife’s rear end. Matthews says he wanted to make sure the victim didn’t hurt him and stayed down. His attorney didn’t immediately respond to request for comment Tuesday.

Latest Headlines

2 hours ago in Local

Anthem requests extension of deadline as negotiations with Northern Light stall

Fresh

A spokesperson for Anthem insurance says the company has requested that Northern Light Health extend a deadline for reimbursement negotiations.

2 hours ago in Local

Lockdown lifted at SMCC in South Portland after police respond to person in crisis

Fresh

A lockdown and shelter-in-place order has been lifted at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

4 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage

The 58-year-old Oscar-winning actor petitioned on Tuesday to end her marriage to the 57-year-old Grammy winning country singer in a Nashville court. The documents state the couple has undergone "marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences."

11 hours ago in Local

Portland Police Looking for Man Missing for a Month

Officers did not say where the man was last seen.

24 hours ago in Local

Fiery Scarborough Crash Caught on Video

Crews quickly stretched a hose line and had water on the flames within moments.