Seattle's "superhero" Phoenix Jones avoids assault charges for now

BY Tim Haeck  on October 13, 2011 @ 9:37 am (Updated: 12:51 pm - 10/13/11 )

Phoenix Jones
Outside the courthouse on Thursday morning, Seattle's superhero Phoenix Jones declared his true identity. He then walked off without taking questions from the media. (97.3 KIRO FM/Tim Haeck) | Zoom
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Phoenix Jones might be off the hook for assault charges.

The city attorney declined to file charges against Seattle's self-proclaimed superhero on Thursday, but did say that the investigation is on-going.

During the hearing, a court officer asked Jones to remove his mask and he complied. He wore his superhero uniform under a button-down shirt.

Prosecutors told a judge they would need more time to decide whether to file charges in the case.

Outside the courthouse, Jones declared, "I am Phoenix Jones, I am also Ben Fodor. I am just like everybody else. The only difference is that I try to stop crime."

He then said he'd be out patrolling Thursday night and invited city leaders to 1st Ave. and Pike St. for a meet up on Saturday night.

Fodor, 23, was arrested Saturday for investigation of assault after allegedly using pepper spray to break up a fight in downtown Seattle.

A woman, who wishes to be identified as Maria and was involved in the incident is "furious" over the outcome.

She told Ross and Burbank on Thursday no one ever contacted her for a statement or to file a report. Maria claimed she continued calling police, but they kept telling her "it's in review."

Maria can be seen hitting Fodor with one of her shoes. She said there was no reason for him to interject because there was never a fight. She did admit that one man did get pushed, but nothing serious was going on. "This stuff happens all the time if you're in downtown Seattle, but there wasn't going to be anything too violent going on there."

Maria said even if there were, she still doesn't think Jones acted appropriately. "He had no right to just step in and pepper spray anyone."

Jones says he's sure someone was being hurt and needed his help.

In an interview with John Curley, Jones explained why he's willing to put himself in harm's way.

"If someone gets hurt, it probably should be me, rather than the average person. All of us are wearing bullet proofs, all of us have taken some sort of self defense training class. We all call 911 the minute the crime happens," he said.

Phoenix Jones Stops Assault from Ryan McNamee on Vimeo

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (21)


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  • DesertRez wrote...
    Dang
    October 13, 2011 10:52 am
    It's WAAAY too early in his career to unmask. First he has to recruit a sidekick. I recommend a woman superhero called the Reporter. She could have a helmet cam attached to her mask. The sidekick would at some point betray him and the Pheonix would hit a low in his career. The people of Gotha...err Seattle would hate him until he redeems himself by catching the freak-o mayer in a wild acid party with his minion zombies, the 99%ers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Loving Life wrote...
    "Marie" the Shoe Wielding Drunk Chick (SWDC) is the only joke here. Little girl get off the streets at night, get a job, take care of your babies, and go home.
    October 13, 2011 10:52 am
    Phoenix Jones may not be perfect, but he is right, he tries to make downtown Seattle a better place, he is committed, and he stands up for what he believes in. What more can we ask the youth of America? He is different than the street urchins in Westlake, this man knows why he is there. He is helping. Unlike the SWDC and her gang of idiots, PJ wants you to be safe. And to that end, Phoenix Jones, be safe yourself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kllgreen wrote...
    ignorant
    October 13, 2011 5:02 pm
    do not say things just because u have the freedom to open you ignorant mouth, she is not a little girl and Maria is an educated business woman, who just happened to walk by the fight with her friends, started screaming break if off, and got pepper sprayed by the FAKE dumb Fv@k who calls him self a super hero, she thought he was a mugger, he was wearing a costume and a mask so close to the Halloween, she was defending her friends who where down on the ground, because they got sprayed by the dumb Fake Super Hero who let the guys that were beating on some one, get away, and sprayed innocent people instead. do you really want someone who is so unstable, untrained and cant distinguish between thugs and innocent , protect the city?????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dark Jedi wrote...
    It is a shame the media forced him to reveal his name/face.
    October 13, 2011 10:58 am
    Now that the media has their pound of flesh, let him help stop crime.

    As for the "for now" comment, charge him with a crime or not. They have had 4 days to get statements and look at the video. Unless someone in the force is "fishing" for anything they can trump up.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gomariners wrote...
    I think
    October 13, 2011 11:15 am
    he's nuts for what he does but after hearing him on with Dori he sounds like a very nice guy. Good luck to him.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Shooting Treys wrote...
    ...and...
    October 13, 2011 11:50 am
    ...here's an interesting debate: Is it better to be helped by Seattle's superhero or our own SPD? I support the superhero....SPD?...I'll hold my opinion until all their issues are resolved.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Driesel206 wrote...
    Superhero
    October 13, 2011 12:12 pm
    I personally applaud what he is doing. for the person who stated that there was no incident, there was. Also, someone got hit by a car, which is in the video, the other part "Maria's" friends were jumping someone according to other reports at the scene. The cops cannot control that area of the city on friday/saturday nights. Someone needs to go out there and defend the citizens who are just trying to have a good time. I personally do not go down to that area because of the reason Phoenix is trying to stop. It's sad that he is unmasked as now he might have to worry about retaliation. Stay safe Phoenix, keep doing what you are doing!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kllgreen wrote...
    put the mask back on
    October 13, 2011 4:52 pm
    wow he looks like he jumped out of 80s comic book, what a retard. i guess now since the police let him go we can hold the City Of Seattle responsible for his mistakes, or i guess they have a couple more years to refile the charges. anyways i believe they have made a mistake he should not be out on the streets after causing such a ruckus. i guess the cops dont care after all, very SAD
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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