Judge OKs murder charges in fatal ballpark fight

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A judge is upholding murder charges against three men in a fatal fight outside the Philadelphia Phillies stadium.

The ruling comes after about a dozen witnesses testified at a preliminary hearing in the death of David Sale Jr., 22, of Lansdale.

Police say 35-year-old Charles Bowers, 45-year-old Jim Groves and 28-year-old Francis Kirchner, all of Philadelphia, repeatedly beat and kicked Sale, causing fatal injuries.

The suspects were on a tavern-sponsored outing to the July 25 game. The victim and three others were celebrating a bachelor’s party.

The two groups argued over a spilled beer at a bar attached to the stadium, and tangled again in the parking lot.