A Buffalo Bills fan who fell from the upper deck of Ralph Wilson Stadium and injured another spectator last year was found guilty of assault and reckless endangerment Tuesday after a six-member jury deliberated for about 20 minutes.
The Orchard Park Town Court jury found Robert Hopkins of Buffalo guilty of both counts against him — third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment — following a three-day trial.
Stadium video surveillance showed Hopkins repeatedly sliding down the rail during the Nov.17 Bills-Jets game before falling over the side and onto Mark Bratcher who was 20-25 feet below in his seat. Bratcher suffered head, neck and back injuries.
Hopkins was not seriously hurt after his fall, but lost his job in public relations and has been banned from the stadium.
He could face up to a year in jail when he's sentenced on Sept. 11.
Bratcher has since seen neurosurgeon Dr. Loubert Steven Suddaby who claims that Bratcher had bulging discs in two places in his cervical spine and a herniated disc in his middle spine.
Suddaby also stated that his patient could have been killed or left a quadriplegic if the fall had hit him just two inches forward.
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