The facts of the case are that some yahoo Patriots fan got drunk and went to the Steelers hotel, where he pulled the fire alarm when there was no fire. He seems to have copped to it, though he's insisted (for now) that the accusation be proven in Court, as is his right.
He's clearly violated the law -- Massachusetts law provides that "Whoever, without reasonable cause, by outcry or the ringing of bells, or otherwise, makes or circulates or causes to be made or circulated a false alarm of fire shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than one year."
The statute doesn't recognize a difference in the culpable mental state of the actor -- it's a strict liability crime, other than some argument that he had a reasonable belief that there was an actual fire (which he won't be able to prove) -- so the fact that he was drunk will be irrelevant.
Frankly, I hope he's convicted or pleads guilty, and that he's given a significant punishment within the limits of the statute.
Reply With Quote
