Sturgis Rally Stabbing over "spilled beer"

[el_presidente]

Kelo Land has a story about the stabbing death that occured on a Sturgis Rally Shuttle bus. I almost didn't read the last line that said the fight began over spilled beer.

http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail2817.cfm?Id=0,50233

Man May Not Face Murder Charges In Rally Stabbing
A Belton, Missouri man arrested for fatally stabbing another man during a dispute on a shuttle bus at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally may not be put on trial for murder.

The Meade County prosecutor says he will offer a grand jury the choices of manslaughter, aggravated assault or no charges at all for justifiable homicide.

Fifty-two-year-old Stephen Campbell is currently charged with second-degree murder for the killing Frank Rosanova of Ingleside, Illinois.

The 51-year-old Rosanova died after being stabbed in the neck on a bus that shuttled bikers from rally campgrounds to downtown Sturgis.

The fight allegedly began over spilled beer.

Only in Sturgis.

[Ozark_Jack]

Re: Sturgis Rally Stabbing over "spilled beer"

Not to make too much light of the situation but it appears that the incident occured over a very legitimate reason :

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Sturgis Rally Stabbing over "spilled beer"

Kelo Land has a story about the stabbing death that occured on a Sturgis Rally Shuttle bus. I almost didn't read the last line that said the fight began over spilled beer.

http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail2817.cfm?Id=0,50233

Man May Not Face Murder Charges In Rally Stabbing
A Belton, Missouri man arrested for fatally stabbing another man during a dispute on a shuttle bus at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally may not be put on trial for murder.

The Meade County prosecutor says he will offer a grand jury the choices of manslaughter, aggravated assault or no charges at all for justifiable homicide.

Fifty-two-year-old Stephen Campbell is currently charged with second-degree murder for the killing Frank Rosanova of Ingleside, Illinois.

The 51-year-old Rosanova died after being stabbed in the neck on a bus that shuttled bikers from rally campgrounds to downtown Sturgis.

The fight allegedly began over spilled beer.

Only in Sturgis.

There's a little more to the story than fighting over spilled beer. Anyway, the most recent news reports are saying that 2nd degree murder won't be presented to the Grand Jury. Possibly manslaughter, aggravated assault or nothing at all (justifiable homicide).

[thebluehatman]

Re: Sturgis Rally Stabbing over "spilled beer"

So does this mean one can get away with murder when someone spills your beer? all joking aside its sad to see that someone killed someone over a spilled drink. i guess only in sturgis.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Sturgis Rally Stabbing over "spilled beer"

So does this mean one can get away with murder when someone spills your beer?  all joking aside its sad to see that someone killed someone over a spilled drink.  i guess only in sturgis.

Depends on what kind of beer it is.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Sturgis Rally Stabbing NOT over "spilled beer"

Stabber may not be charged

By Heidi Bell Gease, Journal Staff Writer

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/arti...top/news02.txt

STURGIS -- Prosecutors said Monday they do not intend to seek a murder indictment against the Belton, Mo., man charged in a stabbing death on a Sturgis shuttle bus that operated during the motorcycle rally.

And the suspect, Stephen Campbell, 52, could even be set free if a grand jury considers the incident justifiable homicide.....

.....Campbell's attorney said Campbell acted in self-defense after being attacked for no apparent reason.

"Our client was viciously attacked in a place where he could not retreat," Rapid City defense attorney Randy Connelly said. "He basically was in fear of serious bodily harm or even death."

Campbell was initially charged with second-degree murder. Now, Meade County State's Attorney Jesse Sondreal says that, based on an ongoing investigation, he expects to present a grand jury with the options of charging Campbell with manslaughter, aggravated assault or nothing, based on a justifiable homicide claim.


Connelly said that contrary to previous reports, the stabbing did not result from an argument over spilled beer.

"There was no argument," he said. "It takes two to argue."

Instead, Connelly said that Rosanova, who was seated in front of Campbell at the rear of the bus, came after him over the back of the seat for no reason and began punching him in the head and face. He said Campbell tried to deflect the blows with his arms and hands, but that he eventually pulled out a knife he routinely carries and used it to defend himself and his wife, Debbie. Connelly said Campbell suffered defensive wounds that support his claim.

"(Rosanova) was looking for a reason to fight," Connelly said. "Our client had absolutely no chance to retreat."

Connelly also said he had "reason to believe" Rosanova had a criminal history of violence but that he hadn't seen anything in writing. A witness to the stabbing corroborated Campbell's version of events, he said.

That version also makes sense to Campbell's friends in Belton, a suburb of Kansas City.

Co-worker Rocky Hughes said Campbell has worked for more than 25 years as a millwright at a National Nuclear Security Administration plant operated by the Honeywell company and also does charitable work for the Arat Shrine and with veterans projects.

Hughes said Campbell and his wife have two married sons and one grandchild, with another one due soon.

"If he did this alleged crime, he was provoked and in fear for his life," he said.

Connelly and Robert Haivala are defending Campbell, whose next court appearance for Sept