Homeless Man Sues Over 'Bum Fights'

Mutt · 03-07-2003

Homeless San Diegan sues
over appearance in
Associated Press
Friday, March 7, 2003

Homeless San Diegan sues
over appearance in
'Bumfights' film

(03-07) 03:56 PST SAN DIEGO (AP) --

A homeless man seen fighting a woman in the
controversial "Bumfights" video is suing the
filmmakers for allegedly violating his privacy.

Peter LaForte says he never gave the
filmmakers permission to videotape him fighting
the 275-pound woman, known as "Porkchop," in
a public restroom at San Diego's Ocean Beach
in 2001.

The explosive brawl that ensued is the first
scene on the videotape, "Bumfights: A Cause for
Concern," which was sold over the Internet for
$20 a copy.

> The film, promoted by radio shock jock Howard
> Stern and denounced on the floor of the House
of Representatives, has sold more than 300,000
copies.

LaForte's lawsuit, filed Tuesday in San Diego
Superior Court, said the homeless man suffered
"constant shame, embarrassment and
humiliation," as a result of the video. LaForte,
31, said the filmmakers paid the woman to fight
him and that he tried to decline before she
attacked him.

The defendants "should not be allowed to profit
from their wrongful conduct," his lawyer said.

Attorney Doug Gilliland, who represents the
filmmakers, said he believes that after his clients
tell their side of the story "the civil case is going
to go the same way as the criminal case."

In January, Superior Court Judge Larrie Brainard
dismissed felony battery and soliciting charges
against filmmakers Ryan McPherson, 19;
Zachary Bubeck, 25; Daniel J. Tanner, 21; and
Michael Slyman, 21, ruling there was insufficient
evidence to prosecute them.

The four have pleaded innocent to misdemeanor
charges, including conspiracy to stage an illegal
fight.

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03-07-2003	#1
Mutt Members Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,087	Homeless San Diegan sues over appearance in Associated Press Friday, March 7, 2003 Homeless San Diegan sues over appearance in 'Bumfights' film (03-07) 03:56 PST SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A homeless man seen fighting a woman in the controversial "Bumfights" video is suing the filmmakers for allegedly violating his privacy. Peter LaForte says he never gave the filmmakers permission to videotape him fighting the 275-pound woman, known as "Porkchop," in a public restroom at San Diego's Ocean Beach in 2001. The explosive brawl that ensued is the first scene on the videotape, "Bumfights: A Cause for Concern," which was sold over the Internet for $20 a copy. > The film, promoted by radio shock jock Howard > Stern and denounced on the floor of the House of Representatives, has sold more than 300,000 copies. LaForte's lawsuit, filed Tuesday in San Diego Superior Court, said the homeless man suffered "constant shame, embarrassment and humiliation," as a result of the video. LaForte, 31, said the filmmakers paid the woman to fight him and that he tried to decline before she attacked him. The defendants "should not be allowed to profit from their wrongful conduct," his lawyer said. Attorney Doug Gilliland, who represents the filmmakers, said he believes that after his clients tell their side of the story "the civil case is going to go the same way as the criminal case." In January, Superior Court Judge Larrie Brainard dismissed felony battery and soliciting charges against filmmakers Ryan McPherson, 19; Zachary Bubeck, 25; Daniel J. Tanner, 21; and Michael Slyman, 21, ruling there was insufficient evidence to prosecute them. The four have pleaded innocent to misdemeanor charges, including conspiracy to stage an illegal fight.