No charges: Mike Tyson will not be charged after punching airplane passenger
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By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson will not face charges after he was caught on video punching a man who had been harassing him during a flight.
The San Mateo County district attorney’s Office said the potential case against Tyson was closed, The Associated Press reported.
They said the decision was made based on “the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.”
“These include the conduct of the victim leading up to the incident, the interaction between Mr. Tyson and the victim, as well as the requests of both the victim and Mr. Tyson that no charges be filed in this case,” District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said, according to ESPN.
Originally, the man who was punched did not give many details to the police and had refused to cooperate with the investigation, the AP reported.
But eventually the man, identified as Melvin Townsend, told authorities he did not want to press charges, KTVU reported.
Tyson’s representatives said the boxer was on the flight with “an aggressive passenger who began harassing him and threw a water bottle at him while he was in his seat,” the AP reported.
A video showed Townsend standing over Tyson’s seat and waving his arms above the fighter who remained quiet and seated.
A separate video recorded by another passenger showed Tyson hitting him repeatedly in the head, drawing blood.
The altercation happened on a JetBlue flight from San Francisco to Florida. Tyson, who retired from boxing and is now a cannabis entrepreneur, was in San Francisco in April for the city’s cannabis festival to promote his marijuana brand, the AP reported.
Through the years Los Angeles, CA - 1984: Mike Tyson at Summer Olympics boxing trials, Memorial Sports Arena. (Photo by Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Through the years View of American model Beverly Johnson and heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson as the attend a performance in Harlem's Apollo Theater, New York, New York, 1984. (Photo by Shawn Walker/Getty Images) (Shawn Walker/Getty Images)
Through the years ATLANTIC CITY - JANUARY 24,1986: Mike Tyson (R) lands a right hook against Mike Jameson during the fight at the Trump Plaza Hotel, on January 24,1986 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mike Tyson won by a TKO 5.
(Photo by: The Ring Magazine via Getty Images) (The Ring Magazine/The Ring Magazine via Getty Imag)
Through the years WALSALL, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 18: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson meets up with a pigeon fancier Horace Potts (L), of Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands on November 18, 2005 in Walsall, England. Tyson who is well known for his love of pigeons dropped in to the home of pigeon fancier Horace Watts whilst on route to Birmingham, England, for a hotel dinner boxing event. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images) (Stringer/Getty Images)
Through the years CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 21: Former Boxer Mike Tyson arrives at the 'Che' Premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 61st International Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2008 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 02: Mike Tyson takes part in a curtain call following his "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" Broadway Opening Night at Longacre Theatre on August 2, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 08: Mike Tyson with his wife Kiki Tyson arrive at the opening Night Of "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" At The Pantages Theatre at the Pantages Theatre on March 8, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 25: Mike Tyson speaks onstage during the "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truthts" panel discussion at the HBO portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour - Day 2 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 25, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 10: Former boxer and inductee Mike Tyson arrives at the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame inaugural induction gala at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino on August 10, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years SANTA MONICA, CA - MAY 20: Actor/Comedian Tommy Davidson (L) and former professional boxer Mike Tyson attend the B. Riley & Co. and Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation's 5th Annual "Big Fighters, Big Cause" Charity Boxing Night at the Santa Monica Pier on May 20, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation) (Mark Davis)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 09: Former boxer Evander Holyfield (L) is inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame by former boxer Mike Tyson at the second annual induction gala at the New Tropicana Las Vegas on August 9, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 06: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was processed using digital filters) Comedian/actor Jon Lovitz (L) and former boxer Mike Tyson joke around as they arrive at the kickoff of Lovitz's 20-show residency "Reunited" with Dana Carvey at The Foundry at SLS Las Vegas on January 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for SLS Las Vegas) (Ethan Miller)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Mike Tyson exits the ring after receiving a split draw against Roy Jones Jr. during Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. presented by Triller at Staples Center on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller) (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 07: Former boxer Mike Tyson attends the junior welterweight bout between Montana Love and Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela at T-Mobile Arena on May 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)