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Judge declares mistrial in beating case of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace
A mistrial has been declared in the case against three men accused of attacking NASCAR driver Mike Wallace and his daughter outside the PNC Pavilion concert venue in Charlotte, North Carolina, this summer.
According to WSOC television in Charlotte, as first reported via the Twitter account of reporter Mark Becker, Judge Ronald Chapman ruled for the mistrial because he believed there was merit to the argument from defense attorneys that two witnesses violated a "sequestration order" and therefore "compromised the integrity of the case."
Chapman handed down the decision Wednesday afternoon.
Paul Lucas, Nathan Lucas and Randolph Mangum all faced misdemeanor assault charges for allegedly beating Wallace and also attacking his daughter, Lindsey, after a Rascal Flatts concert in June.
Wallace himself and several witnesses took the stand on Tuesday. Attorneys deliberated on Wednesday before the defendants asked for the mistrial.
According to a report by the FOX46 television station in Charlotte, one witness said she left the concert, heard shouting and then saw an older man on the ground in the fetal position. She then flipped him over and saw blood "everywhere."
Through family and friends the woman said she knew Wallace, but didn't realize the man she was helping was him. She said the injuries were so severe his face was swollen and she could not even recognize him.
The woman said she attended the concert with friends and was unaware the Wallace family was also in attendance, until she saw them after the fight.
Wallace told FOXSports.com in June, shortly after the incident, that his three front teeth were knocked a few inches into his mouth and he suffered a black eye was causing impaired vision. He also said he had 10 stitches in his lip.
Mike Wallace added that he was unsure why the men had attacked him.
Kenny Wallace, Mike's brother and a FOX Sports NASCAR television analyst, said at the time that Mike, 57, was kicked repeatedly in the head while unconscious. He also said Mike's daughter tried to jump on top of him to shield her father from further injuries and was subsequently kicked in the ribs multiple times.
According to a WSOC website report, attorneys for the defense challenged Wallace's version of the events, "suggesting that a mix of alcohol and prescription drugs may have clouded his memory, and that he may have instigated the fight."
During his career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Mike Wallace has made 197 starts with three top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. In the NASCAR XFINITY Series, he's made 494 starts, with four victories, 22 top fives and 66 top 10s. Wallace has not made a start in any of NASCAR's top three national touring series this season, although he did make one start each in the Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series last season.
Judge declared a mistrial in case of three charged with assaulting former NASCAR driver Mike Wallace pic.twitter.com/WTTMBKirid
— Mark Becker (@MarkBeckerWSOC9) October 26, 2016
Judge Ronald Chapman suggested two witnesses who violated sequestration order compromised the integrity of the case pic.twitter.com/TnDmQVYibq
— Mark Becker (@MarkBeckerWSOC9) October 26, 2016
