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Brewmaniac · 09-15-2005, 11:26 AM

Yahoo! News
Police Charge 11 in Wedding Party Brawl

Thu Sep 15, 9:12 AM ET

A groom spent his wedding night in jail with his father, his brother his father-in-law and seven other members of his wedding party after the group allegedly brawled with another bridal party and police, according to a published report.

Police arrested the groom, Joseph Fortunato Jr., 29, and the ten others after officers were called to break up the melee at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains, Saturday, according to an article appearing in Thursday's editions of the Daily News.

The altercation reportedly began with a case of mistaken identity. A member of the second wedding party confronted Fortunato's best man, believing him to be a wedding photographer, who had absconded. The best man allegedly responded with force sparking a bench-clearer.

"Everybody's fighting everybody," White Plains police spokesman Martin Gleeson told the Daily News. "And both brides are kind of walking around helpless like, 'This is my wedding? I can't believe this is happening!'"

After police intervened by arresting Fortunato, the other members of his wedding party objected violently, leading to their arrests. The eleven suspects, all from Fortunato's party, were charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and first-degree riot, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

They were released on bail Sunday.

Police said the melee caused $2,000 of damage to the hotel.

"We believe the event may have been alcohol-driven," Gleeson told the Daily News.

09-15-2005, 11:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Brewmaniac Searching for the perfect brew!	Happy Honeymoon Yahoo! News Police Charge 11 in Wedding Party Brawl Thu Sep 15, 9:12 AM ET A groom spent his wedding night in jail with his father, his brother his father-in-law and seven other members of his wedding party after the group allegedly brawled with another bridal party and police, according to a published report. Police arrested the groom, Joseph Fortunato Jr., 29, and the ten others after officers were called to break up the melee at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains, Saturday, according to an article appearing in Thursday's editions of the Daily News. The altercation reportedly began with a case of mistaken identity. A member of the second wedding party confronted Fortunato's best man, believing him to be a wedding photographer, who had absconded. The best man allegedly responded with force sparking a bench-clearer. "Everybody's fighting everybody," White Plains police spokesman Martin Gleeson told the Daily News. "And both brides are kind of walking around helpless like, 'This is my wedding? I can't believe this is happening!'" After police intervened by arresting Fortunato, the other members of his wedding party objected violently, leading to their arrests. The eleven suspects, all from Fortunato's party, were charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and first-degree riot, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. They were released on bail Sunday. Police said the melee caused $2,000 of damage to the hotel. "We believe the event may have been alcohol-driven," Gleeson told the Daily News. __________________ "That's a joke... I say, that's a joke, son"