Atlanta-area police have positively identified the four people seen fighting in a video of a Mother's Day brawl that was uploaded online and quickly went viral. You can watch the video here:
The suspects were three family members, 26-year-old Devecc Bilingslea, 25-year-old Zacarli Dalcoe and 26-year-old Willis Jumario Hall, as well as restaurant employee 21-year-old Demonte Harrison. All four were cited for disorderly conduct in connection with the May 8 fight at Kiku Japanese Steakhouse in East Point, Ga.
A police report indicates the fight began when Harrison, a busboy, was cleaning tables and was berated by a female customer for smiling. Harrison told the woman that it was his job to smile, prompting Hall to intervene and punch him in the face. Soon afterward, cousin Dalcoe joined the fight, along with Bilingslea.
However, Attorney Charles Webb, who is representing Hall, Billingslea and Dalcoe, said the video of the fight doesn't tell the whole story and when all the circumstances are made public, his clients will be exonerated. Webb argues the video didn't capture what Harrison was doing prior to the onset of the fight. He failed to specifically say what Harrison did, but it prompted the family members to call the manager to the table.
"They had requested a manager come to the table and that caused problems between the waiter and the family," Webb said. "Once this particular case plays out in a court of law, it will show my clients were only defending themselves against the assault on them."
Even though the video shows that the fight was started by the three family members, police decided to charge Harrison with disorderly conduct as well since later parts of the video show him chasing the family outside the restaurant and kicking their car.
"When they came back to the location, that's when the employees attacked them again, kicking the side of their car," Webb said.
In conclusion, Webb said the family had spent an emotional day at their mother's grave site - the first since her death in January - and wouldn't have started a fight in any other circumstance.
"They would never assault anyone, but based upon what transpired in the case, they are perceived as having assaulted this waiter and that is simply not the case," Webb said.
In the meantime, all four men face a possible six months to one year jail time, as well as a fine of up to $1,000 and possible restitution.
It's unclear if Harrison has an attorney.
