Five plead guilty to charges in brutal Cincinnati beatdown that went viral last summer

Five people have pleaded guilty in connection with the brutal beatdown in downtown Cincinnati that went viral last year. 

On Monday, four of the five individuals pleaded guilty to felony charges stemming from the fight, with a fifth person pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

The charges stem from a violent fight that broke out on the corner of Fourth and Elm streets in downtown Cincinnati around 3 a.m. on July 26, 2025. 

Defense attorneys for those charged have insisted the fight was sparked after one of the victims allegedly directed a racial slur at a member of the group.

BRUTAL DOWNTOWN BRAWL LEAVES VICTIMS BLOODIED AS CINCINNATI POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION

Video footage of the altercation subsequently went viral, with clips showing the moment a woman was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious garnering millions of views throughout social media. 

A man was also seen being knocked to the ground and struck more than two dozen times in the head. 

Those who pleaded guilty to felony charges include Jermaine Mathews, 39; Montianez Merriweather, 35; Gregory Wright, 33; and Aisha Devaughn, 26, the Enquirer reported.

VIDEO OF RACIAL SLUR YELLED DURING THE BRUTAL CINCINNATI BEATDOWN EMERGES 

Mathews reportedly faces the longest prison term of up to 4.5 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to aggravated rioting and attempted felonious assault. His defense attorney has previously said the racial slurs were directed at Mathews. 

Surveillance footage shows Mathews approaching a man and punching him in the head. Minutes later, after the man appears to slap Mathews in the face, he is seen throwing the victim to the ground before punching and kicking him.  

Merriweather and Devaughn pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and aggravated rioting, according to the outlet. They each face up to three years in prison.

ALLEGED CINCINNATI ATTACKERS WALK FREE AFTER BOND CUTS, POLICE HUNT EIGHTH SUSPECT

Wright, who was accused of ripping a chain from a victim’s neck after Mathews flung the man to the ground, reportedly pleaded guilty to felony theft and misdemeanor rioting, with the most serious charge carrying a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. 

Dekyra Vernon, 25, also reportedly pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct charges stemming from the fight. 

Charges against two other defendants in the case — Patrick Rosemond, 39, and Dominique Kittle, 38 — remain pending, according to the Enquirer.

JD VANCE CONDEMNS 'DISGUSTING' CINCINNATI ATTACK, POINTS TO POLICE HIRING CRISIS IN BLUE CITIES

In March, an Ohio judge reportedly dismissed a disorderly conduct charge against a White man who authorities previously said was one of the victims. 

The beatdown ignited allegations that the incident was racially motivated, with political leaders including Vice President JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy previously speaking out against the video after it went viral.

Those who pleaded guilty are set to be sentenced on May 19 and June 11. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the attorneys for the defendants and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for comment. 

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Refs' chief Webb confirms grappling consultation

Disallowing West Ham's last-ditch equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday was the right decision, referees' chief Howard Webb says.

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Andes virus linked to cruise ship deaths raises concern over human-to-human spread

As health officials track the hantavirus outbreak that began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, attention is turning to the Andes virus, a rare strain from South America that is causing concern.

The virus stemming from the cruise ship, which has caused around eight cases and three deaths as of May 11, was identified by the World Health Organization as the Andes strain.

Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person, heightening fears about how outbreaks could unfold under the right conditions.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"The Andes strain has been increasing recently as rodents migrate north toward Buenos Aires in hot, wet climate conditions," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "It is predominately a rodent virus – current sequencing shows no mutations so far."

The virus is endemic primarily in Argentina, Chile and parts of southern South America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is primarily carried by a wild rodent species known as the long-tailed pygmy rice rat.

The Andes strain tends to cause more serious complications, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), according to Siegel.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

HPS is a rare but severe respiratory disease that mainly affects the lungs, causing fluid buildup that makes it hard to breathe. It can quickly become life-threatening, with 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms dying from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Early symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, with about half of all patients also experiencing headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, per the CDC.

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Symptoms typically appear between four and 42 days after exposure. In most cases, only people with symptoms are able to spread the virus to others.

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While the Andes virus does have the capability to spread person to person, Siegel noted that studies show it is still rare.

"There is currently no treatment or vaccine," the doctor noted. "The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is working on monoclonal antibodies, and an MRNA vaccine is in the works."

Patients with the virus typically receive supportive care, including rest, hydration and medications to manage symptoms.

Health experts have shared that the Andes virus appears to spread much less efficiently than more contagious viruses like measles, influenza and COVID.

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The CDC has stated that overall risk to the American public and travelers remains "extremely low."

"Andes virus testing is limited to people who have relevant symptoms and exposure history," the agency wrote. "If you think you had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional or your state or local health department immediately."

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Labour MPs Move Against Starmer

The number of Labour MPs calling for the prime minister to go increases.

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CBS host gives Dem rep brutal reality check on DHS shutdown: 'You lost that fight'

CBS "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan challenged Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu on the party's midterm election messaging, saying Democrats "lost" the fight over the record-setting Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

"OK, so you still believe that Democrats can retake the House?" Brennan asked Lieu, who represents California's 36th Congressional District. "What is your main message?"

"The American people voted in Donald Trump because they wanted lower costs and he lied to them," Lieu replied. "We have surging inflation, skyrocketing gas prices. The Trump tariffs have raised costs across many products across America. People are drowning in debt and in bills, and Democrats are going to reduce health care costs, lower costs across the board, reduce your energy costs. That's the message we're—"

"How are you going to do that?" Brennan interjected. "Democrats shut down the government to have an argument over health care, and they didn't get any policy concessions, and premiums went up. You lost that fight."

DEMOCRATS STRUGGLE FOR COHESIVE MESSAGING STRATEGY AMID SHUTDOWN STANDOFF

Lieu responded that the House passed an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for three years and urged the Senate to also pass that legislation.

Lieu added that "when we get control, we're going to reverse the massive Medicaid cuts, the Medicare cuts and the cuts to ACA that Trump and Republicans put in last year."

TRUMP ENDS DHS' MONTHS-LONG NIGHTMARE THAT LEFT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT FUNDING

The DHS shutdown began Feb. 14. On April 30, President Donald Trump signed a bill funding much of the agency, ending a record-setting 75-day funding lapse.

Notably, however, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will remain unfunded under the current legislation.

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Man charged as three Jewish people assaulted

Two men, aged 58 and 26, and a 53-year-old woman were left with minor injuries from the attack.

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Bobby Cox, legendary Atlanta Braves manager who led 1995 World Series champions, dead at 84

Famed Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has died at the age of 84, the team announced on Saturday.

The Braves said in a statement that their "treasured skipper" was the "best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform."

His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched. Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame," the Braves said.

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"And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren."

Cox's 2,504 wins as a manager are the fourth-most in MLB history, behind only Connie Mack, Tony La Russa and John McGraw.

Cox has two stints with the Braves, the first of which began in 1978 and ended three years later. After managing the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985, he returned to Atlanta for the 1990 season, where he stayed for 21 seasons.

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He was named the Manager of the Year four times and was one of two managers, along with Kevin Cash, to win it in back-to-back seasons. His No. 6 was retired by the Braves in 2011, shortly after his final season with the club.

Cox was the first-base coach for the New York Yankees when they won the World Series in 1977, but he was of course much better known for the world title that was brought to Atlanta in 1995.

During his second stint with Atlanta, he led the team to 14 division titles and making each postseason from 1991 to 2005 (there was no postseason in the strike-shortened 1994 season, but the Braves were 68-46 and in second place behind the Montreal Expos).

The Braves made five World Series under Cox, who also held the MLB record for most ejections.

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Four-try Packer 'doesn't go away' as England set up Grand Slam decider

Four-try veteran flanker Marlie Packer "doesn't go away" as she eyes a fitting England finale in Bordeaux's Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider.

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Arteta rallies Arsenal for huge Premier League weekend

As the Premier League title race nears its conclusion, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tells his players and the Gunners fans to "stay present and live the moment".

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Swing-district Republican breaks with Trump, pushes limits on Iran war

A House Republican facing a tough re-election fight is moving to impose strict limits on the Iran war, breaking with the Trump administration’s claim that hostilities have ended. 

Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., introduced a resolution Thursday that would authorize the war through the end of July to permanently degrade Iran’s nuclear program, address "imminent threats," enforce a naval blockade and ensure safe passage of U.S. ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

But the measure would also set stringent guidelines on prolonged military operations by limiting boots on the ground and prohibiting "nation-building" or occupying or seizing Iranian territory.

"Two things have been clear from the very beginning: Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the United States of America cannot be dragged into another endless war," Barrett, an Army veteran who served multiple tours in the Middle East, said. "The commander in chief has the sole authority to lead our troops in wartime, but I’ve lost too many friends on the battlefield to allow that to happen without Congress exercising its constitutional role to clearly define the mission with safeguards and a deadline."

REPUBLICANS HAND TRUMP THE WHEEL ON IRAN — BUT ONE RED LINE EMERGES

"If we don’t learn from our foreign policy failures of the past, we are bound to repeat them," he added.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has also vowed to introduce a similar measure in the upper chamber authorizing the use of military force within strict boundaries, which she has described as a "restraint" on Trump.

Barrett’s measure follows the White House largely shrugging off a 60-day deadline to end the war on Friday by arguing that the ceasefire that began on April 7 effectively stopped the clock on the 1973 War Powers Resolution’s countdown. Under the war powers provision, the administration is required to end hostilities within 60 to 90 days absent congressional approval. 

"For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated," a senior administration official told Fox News Digital last week.

"Both parties agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, April 7 that has since been extended," the official continued. "There has been no exchange of fire between U.S. Armed Forces and Iran since Tuesday, April 7."

A press release issued by Barrett’s office stated that "U.S. military operations are ongoing."

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Tuesday that the 1973 War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional, and the administration was only complying with parts of it out of respect for Congress.

"We comply with it in terms of, like, notification because we want to preserve good relations with Congress," Rubio told reporters during a news conference. "And we do that."

Trump has repeatedly extended the ceasefire with Iran as both parties are working with mediators to permanently end the war.

Barrett’s resolution would also allow for an additional 30-day "wind-down period" if the Trump administration intended to extend hostilities past the July 30 deadline.

The resolution comes as Barrett, a freshman lawmaker representing a Lansing-area district, is facing a potentially bruising re-election bid ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Bridget Brink, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden, and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam are vying in a crowded Democratic primary to unseat Barrett in the swing seat.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates his re-election bid as a "toss-up."

It is unclear whether Barrett will join Democrats in supporting a war powers resolution that would block military action against Iran absent congressional approval when lawmakers return to Washington next week.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Who is Kumanjayi Little Baby and why has her death caused outrage in Australia?

The BBC's Katy Watson explains the case, the cultural sensitivities and why it has caused so much anger.

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Neymar apologises for slapping teenager Robinho Jr

Neymar apologises to his Santos team-mate Robinho Jr for slapping the teenager during a training session on Sunday, saying he "crossed the line".

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'In a better place but not 100%' - Raducanu out of Rome as wait for return continues

Britain's Emma Raducanu withdraws from the Italian Open because of the post-viral illness that has kept her off the WTA Tour for two months.

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Brief alcohol ban in Damascus sparks concerns about President al-Sharaa's vision for Syria

There are growing fears among some in Syria that the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa has the aim of clamping down on the rights and freedoms of its civilians by promoting a more conservative interpretation of Islam.

Local authorities in Syria’s capital, Damascus, recently banned restaurants and bars from selling alcohol in most parts of the city. Only venues in the majority-Christian neighborhoods of Damascus would be allowed to continue to sell alcohol, but only for takeaway. The move sparked minor protests throughout the capital, with security forces sent in to maintain order. 

"What you're seeing is pressure from one part of Syrian society, the clerics and sort of harder-line Islamists who have a vision, an Islamist vision of how Syrian society should be," Robert Ford, former ambassador to Syria, told Fox News Digital. Syria's temporary constitution is guided by Islamic law.

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Syria’s social affairs minister, Hind Kabawat, a Christian and the only woman in al-Sharaa’s cabinet, pushed back on the idea that alcohol can only be consumed in Christian neighborhoods.

"Our neighborhoods are not places for alcohol, but the heart of Damascus," she said in a Facebook post.  

"The strength of our nation is in its diversity, and any radical, extremist voice will cause our nation's weakness," she added.

In response to the outcry, Damascus authorities walked back the ban, saying that alcohol purchases could remain in places important for tourism, such as hotels and certain restaurants.

The move is a significant departure for everyday Syrians living in Damascus, where alcohol was readily available in bars and restaurants for decades, even under the authoritarian and oppressive rule of former dictator Bashar al-Assad.

SYRIA GRANTED SANCTIONS WAIVER BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO ENCOURAGE REBUILDING

"Steps like these, which restrict freedoms in Syria, are worrying. When they have occurred far from Damascus, the central government can argue that it lacks sufficient control. But it is particularly meaningful to see such steps in Damascus since President al-Sharaa dominates there," Mara Karlin, a former Department of Defense official and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), told Fox News Digital.

"If he is pushing an Islamist Syria, then it calls into question how much he is moving beyond his history," Karlin added.

Al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to victory over Assad, has been on an international charm offensive since taking power, visiting foreign capitals and reintegrating Syria into the global community.

President Trump even endorsed al-Sharaa, who first met with him in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2025 and again in November 2025 when Trump hosted him at the White House, the first time a Syrian leader had visited the White House since the country gained independence in 1946.

Karlin, who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February on the challenges facing Syria after the fall of Assad, said that, while the Syrian government does include former jihadists, they have been mostly pragmatic and non-ideological in their governance.

She noted, however, that their reach beyond Damascus is weak and limited.

"There have been some troubling instances of restrictions on women’s freedom, for example, and indicators such as these merit close scrutiny for evidence of the Syrian government’s influence and ideology."

TRUMP ORDERS COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL OF ALL TROOPS FROM SYRIA WITHIN TWO MONTHS: REPORT

Ford, who was the last U.S. ambassador in Damascus in 2011, stressed that al-Sharaa is not a democrat and probably would like to impose parts of an Islamist vision on Syria, but has so far held back since overthrowing the Assad regime in 2024.

The ordinances in Damascus and elsewhere are imposed by local officials, but these officials are directly tied to the government and are loyal to al-Sharaa and likely support an Islamist vision for Syria.

Some worry the ban on alcohol could harm Syria’s fragile post-conflict reconstruction, particularly at a time when al-Sharaa is trying to reintegrate Syria into the world economy and rebuild the country’s tourism sector.

The World Bank estimated Syria’s reconstruction costs are about $216 billion after nearly 14 years of civil war. Syria’s minister of tourism previously said the country will need at least $100 million over the next seven years to rebuild the tourism industry.

Alcohol isn’t the only target of some local authorities in Syria. Officials in the port city of Latakia in February banned women from wearing makeup at work. Another town outside Damascus prohibited men from working in female clothing stores to uphold public decency.

Ford said although some of the local ordinances are a cause for concern, it is a domestic issue, and Syrians will have to determine the role of religion in post-Assad Syria.

THE Associated Press contributed to this article. 

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UAE accuses Iran of renewed drone and missile attacks

A large fire has broken out at the key Emirati oil port of Fujairah, which lies beyond the largely-blocked Strait of Hormuz.

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