Arrest Made in Iron Bowl Stabbings

[HomanAU 0]

For those who haven't heard and may have not realized the seriousness of the incident

Link to OANow Article

A man suspected of stabbing five Auburn University students during a fight Nov. 19 near the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house turned himself in to Auburn police Tuesday morning.

Joey Michael Barrett, 22, of Mobile was arrested and charged with five counts of second-degree assault and two counts of third-degree assault, Auburn police said.

He was transported to the Lee County Detention Center, where he posted bail of $27,000 - $5,000 for each count of second-degree assault and $1,000 for each count of third-degree assault.

"He knew he was wanted, so he came to the conclusion it would be in his best interest to turn himself in," said Auburn police Capt. Tom Stofer, who added that this isn’t unusual in similar cases.

"A lot of times that’s the easier solution than having the police come looking for you," Stofer said.

A melee broke out near the fraternity house at 841 W. Magnolia Ave. in the early morning hours of Nov. 19 when, according to reports, Barrett yelled "Roll Tide." It was the day that Auburn hosted Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

By the time the ruckus was over, seven AU students were hurt, three seriously enough to require hospitalization.

Brian Gambina, 23, James Saunders, 21, and Travis Sewell, 18, were treated and kept overnight, said John Atkinson, a spokesman for East Alabama Medical Center. The other four injured students were treated and released from the hospital.

A Mobile County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman said Barrett has no arrest record in the county.

Stofer said he is pleased to see the case moving forward.

"Now we’ll turn the matter over to the judicial system," Stofer said.

An arraignment hearing has been set for Feb. 1, 2006.

The stabbings were among other incidents that kept Auburn police busy during Iron Bowl weekend, including rape, kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery and aggravated assaults.

[WarTim 3,457]

At LEAST he showed the capacity for thought and turned himself in. May justice be done.

p.s. Yo', Esquire, this guy could use a good attorney. Do you know any?

[SCWarEagle 4]

I hear Ramsey Clark might be interested.

[freebody 0]

At LEAST he showed the capacity for thought and turned himself in. May justice be done.

p.s. Yo', Esquire, this guy could use a good attorney. Do you know any? 

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Well, since he was yelling "RT", then maybe what he really needs is the crimson crusader as his defender - the NCAA conspiracy case is over, right?

[kingfish 73]

Yelling RT is a pretty good indication that the plea will be insanity.

[AuNuma1 1]

A melee broke out near the fraternity house at 841 W. Magnolia Ave. in the early morning hours of Nov. 19 when, according to reports, Barrett yelled "Roll Tide." It was the day that Auburn hosted Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

That's awfully vague. Anybody have any links to articles that detail more about what exactly happened that caused a "melee". How did people end up getting stabbed just because the bammer yelled roll tide?

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

I hear Ramsey Clark might be interested.

204261[/snapback]

Clark is defending Sadaam Hussein. Next best thing is Legal Eagle

[SCWarEagle 4]

A melee broke out near the fraternity house at 841 W. Magnolia Ave. in the early morning hours of Nov. 19 when, according to reports, Barrett yelled "Roll Tide." It was the day that Auburn hosted Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

That's awfully vague. Anybody have any links to articles that detail more about what exactly happened that caused a "melee". How did people end up getting stabbed just because the bammer yelled roll tide?

204322[/snapback]

Numa. Wash your hands before you eat. You shouldn't even TYPE those two words.

War Damn Eagle!

[LegalEagle 22]

I hear Ramsey Clark might be interested.

204261[/snapback]

Clark is defending Sadaam Hussein. Next best thing is Legal Eagle

204334[/snapback]

Perceptions are at best often misleading. My client, a lifelong Auburn fan, was going around campus to make sure all the Bammers had left town. He yelled out "Roll Tide" in order to locate any remaining Bammers who needed to be escorted to the city limits.

My client, who is also an accomplished hunter who has given over 20 deer to "The Hunger Project" to feed the less fortunate, used the "Roll Tide" yell much as he uses a turkey call in the Spring. The Bammers cannot help but answer the "Roll Tide" call, and as they would, Joey, whose nickname is "Littl' Shug," would see to it that the Bammers were shown the most direct route out of town.

While performing this valuable service, "Littl' Shug," I mean "Joey" had the misfortune of having his "Roll Tide" call heard by a large number of intoxicated frat boys. Without giving Joey any opportunity to explain his actions, the frat boys rushed him in masse, wielding beer and liquor bottles. After sustainings several massive blows to his head and body, Joey had no choice other than to defend himself. While being pummeled Joey located his Boy Scout knife that he was awarded when he bacame an Eagle Scout then saved the life of an injured motorist on the same day at age 12.

Even though Joey showed the knife and warned the frat boys to back off, they came at him again. Joey used his knife in a way to cause minimum damage but enough damage to give him a chance to retreat. When he got the opportunity, he ran away as fast as he could considering the substantial trauma he had suffered.

Joey was unable to outrun the frat boys who chased him like a pack of hungry wolves after a wounded spotted fawn deer.

There, alone, out of breath and tasting his own blood as it poured from his nose and forehead, Joey in fear - not for his safety - but his very life, once again relied on his scout knife for protection. Clearly, he would have to do more with it than before to quell the riotous, drunken mob that sought to end his very existence. Now he slashed out at those who surrounded him without the ability to guide his aim. One dropped to the ground, then another, one cried out, an opening appeared and Little Joey ran again to save his life. This time he got away and no longer was he forced to harm others who were attacking him.

Bruised and bloody, Little Joey went home to rest and recovery from the considerable trauma bestowed upon him. After he gained enough stamina to consider what had happened, he heard on the TV news a rendition of the events I have just relayed to you. But the TV account was not accurate at all. That account would lead the listener to believe that Joey was a Bammer who needed and deserved a good ass kickin'.

Shocked that the public accounts were not only inaccurate, but nearly opposite of the truth, Joey was not shocked to later hear that an arrest warrant naming him as the aggressor had been issued. Determined to clear his name and get the truth to the public as soon as possible, Little Joey voluntarily submitted to arrest at the Lee County Jail. He looks forward to a speedy trial so that he may be vindicated.

In a related matter, once the alleged victims identify themselves in criminal court, Little Joey is expected to file a civil suit against those alleged victims for attacking him and will seek an undisclosed amount of damages believed to be in the seven (7) to (8) figure range.

[saniflush 0]

GREAT STUFF! "turkey call in the Spring"

[tgr4lfe 220]

A melee broke out near the fraternity house at 841 W. Magnolia Ave. in the early morning hours of Nov. 19 when, according to reports, Barrett yelled "Roll Tide." It was the day that Auburn hosted Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

That's awfully vague. Anybody have any links to articles that detail more about what exactly happened that caused a "melee". How did people end up getting stabbed just because the bammer yelled roll tide?

204322[/snapback]

A source from the PD said this bammer yelled RT (don't worry, SC, I won't type it!). ONe young man went out to talk to him and they started fighting, he was injured, apparently by the knife?? This prompted the others in the house out to come after the rabid bammer, who proceeded to cut 'em up and then ran off. BTW, he dropped his cell phone at the scene. That is how they found out who he is and where he was from.

Should be an interesting court case, he will most assuredly claim self defense. If that were the case why run?? But then again he may plead out b/c of the # of witnesses???

[AUTigerCourt 92]

The Plainsman article

Five students stabbed in fight

By Yun Mi Yi

Online Editor

December 01, 2005

Shortly after midnight on Nov. 19, five members of Phi Kappa Tau were stabbed and three of the members were rushed to the East Alabama Medical Center.

Seven people in all were injured in the scuffle with the suspect, believed to be a 22-year-old resident of Mobile. The suspect is not believed to be a University of Alabama student.

“We know who we’re looking for, but we’ve been unable to make contact yet,” Capt. Tom Stofer of the Auburn Police Division said.

Stofer said the incident occurred on West Magnolia Avenue, then the suspect fled down Hemlock Drive to the rugby fields, injuring more people who tried to stop him.

Ryan Penso, outgoing president of Phi Kappa Tau and a senior in hotel and restaurant management, said many of the members of Phi Tau were on the front lawn listening to a band that was playing across the street from the fraternity house.

“Old Row was packed with people because Pike had Bone Thugs ’N Harmony, and Nappy Roots was down the road,” Penso said.

Penso said while he was standing across the street, he noticed three guys walking through their yard toward the flag pole where a group of his fraternity brothers were gathered.

“One guy had his hood up and was jumping around,” Penso said. “I don’t know if the guy said something derogatory, but I just knew in my mind, ‘This guy’s looking for something.’”

After the man approached the group by the flagpole, words were exchanged, and the the suspect hit sophomore David Atlee.

“At that point, I ran over to see what’s going on, get these people off the property and try and break up the fight,” Penso said. “Somehow, I was thrown into the middle of the thing and was hit in the head.”

After Penso was knocked in the head, he was thrown into a slow-moving car and was immediately knocked unconscious.

“At that point, more people were attracted to the scene because of the commotion that was going on,” Penso said.

Two brothers rushed Penso’s aid and attempted to pull him off the street.

Dustin Sheffield, a junior in marketing, was stabbed in the lower back while assisting Penso but was not immediately aware of his injury. The weapon has not yet been identified but is thought to have been a heavy-duty pocket knife.

After the initial stab, the man took off his sweater, leaving his cell phone behind.

The man then ran away from the scene with his two friends in front of him.

He made it to Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he stabbed Bryan Gambina, a brother of Phi Tau, in the left side of his chest.

The man then fled toward the rugby fields, where his two friends had already been wrestling with more brothers of Phi Tau.

“All of a sudden, we start hearing three more guys have been stabbed,” Penso said.

Freshman Travis Sewell, freshman Kyle Nowicki and James Saunders were found with stab wounds.

“The police were luckily on Old Row, and I eventually got up,” Penso said. “The cops and ambulance came and picked the five guys up that were stabbed.”

Penso was also rushed to the hospital with a minor concussion along with Atlee, who was treated with stitches on the forehead.

Three Phi Tau brothers were rushed to the East Alabama Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries.

Gambina was released from the hospital Monday evening while Sewell and Saunders were released Tuesday.

John Atkins, public relations manager for the East Alabama Medical Center, worked with the brothers in the hospital to keep media attention as minimal as possible.

“The University has been great working with us,” Penso said. “Everyone’s in school and in class and doing fine. We just want to catch this guy.”

Stofer said all the details of the attack aren’t entirely certain yet, but the Police Division should have answers soon.

“We’ll probably learn more about what happened when we apprehend (the suspect),” Stofer said.

[oldautiger 1]

From Legal Eagle

"Perceptions are at best often misleading. My client, a lifelong Auburn fan, was going around campus to make sure all the Bammers had left town. He yelled out "Roll Tide" in order to locate any remaining Bammers who needed to be escorted to the city limits.

My client, who is also an accomplished hunter who has given over 20 deer to "The Hunger Project" to feed the less fortunate, used the "Roll Tide" yell much as he uses a turkey call in the Spring. The Bammers cannot help but answer the "Roll Tide" call, and as they would, Joey, whose nickname is "Littl' Shug," would see to it that the Bammers were shown the most direct route out of town.

While performing this valuable service, "Littl' Shug," I mean "Joey" had the misfortune of having his "Roll Tide" call heard by a large number of intoxicated frat boys. Without giving Joey any opportunity to explain his actions, the frat boys rushed him in masse, wielding beer and liquor bottles. After sustainings several massive blows to his head and body, Joey had no choice other than to defend himself. While being pummeled Joey located his Boy Scout knife that he was awarded when he bacame an Eagle Scout then saved the life of an injured motorist on the same day at age 12.

Even though Joey showed the knife and warned the frat boys to back off, they came at him again. Joey used his knife in a way to cause minimum damage but enough damage to give him a chance to retreat. When he got the opportunity, he ran away as fast as he could considering the substantial trauma he had suffered.

Joey was unable to outrun the frat boys who chased him like a pack of hungry wolves after a wounded spotted fawn deer.

There, alone, out of breath and tasting his own blood as it poured from his nose and forehead, Joey in fear - not for his safety - but his very life, once again relied on his scout knife for protection. Clearly, he would have to do more with it than before to quell the riotous, drunken mob that sought to end his very existence. Now he slashed out at those who surrounded him without the ability to guide his aim. One dropped to the ground, then another, one cried out, an opening appeared and Little Joey ran again to save his life. This time he got away and no longer was he forced to harm others who were attacking him.

Bruised and bloody, Little Joey went home to rest and recovery from the considerable trauma bestowed upon him. After he gained enough stamina to consider what had happened, he heard on the TV news a rendition of the events I have just relayed to you. But the TV account was not accurate at all. That account would lead the listener to believe that Joey was a Bammer who needed and deserved a good ass kickin'.

Shocked that the public accounts were not only inaccurate, but nearly opposite of the truth, Joey was not shocked to later hear that an arrest warrant naming him as the aggressor had been issued. Determined to clear his name and get the truth to the public as soon as possible, Little Joey voluntarily submitted to arrest at the Lee County Jail. He looks forward to a speedy trial so that he may be vindicated.

In a related matter, once the alleged victims identify themselves in criminal court, Little Joey is expected to file a civil suit against those alleged victims for attacking him and will seek an undisclosed amount of damages believed to be in the seven (7) to (8) figure range."

Dadgummit Eagle. There you go again, yer gonna give this bozo's ambulance chaser some real ammunition.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

Pretty good Legal. Maybe you should be defending Sadaam

But we the jury find Joey guilty. Why? Because he is a bammer shouting obscene words in public. No other evidence needed

[LegalEagle 22]

Pretty good Legal. Maybe you should be defending Sadaam

But we the jury find Joey guilty. Why? Because he is a bammer shouting obscene words in public. No other evidence needed

204456[/snapback]

Whatever . . . Little Joey paid up front. Now, you know, his mom might want to finance an appeal. I'll write Joey about the injustice that was bestowed upon him.

I hope my comments on this thread help promote the negative stereotype of lawyers. However, be warned that the "truth" is much different.