New England News

Friday, May 11, 2007

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Alleged victim speaks after Symphony Hall brawl

BOSTON -- The alleged victim of a Symphony Hall smackdown is talking about what started the balcony brawl.

"I just got cold cocked, completely sucker punched at the Pops for telling a guy to stop talking," Matt Ellinger, one of two men involved in the brawl, said.

Besides considering the ideas of pressing charges Friday, Ellinger is now telling his side of the story.

It's the fight that stole the show on opening night.

"I just got cold-cocked at the pops," Ellinger said.

The 44-year-old, Massachusetts man ended up in a brawl during a Boston Pops concert. Ellinger's eye is now swollen, and his face is scratched.

He was at the concert with his girlfriend, and he says the man in front of him would not stop talking.

"So after the first piece, they keep talking through the second piece, and halfway through, I tap the guy on the shoulder with my program and give him a 'Shhh,'" Ellinger said.

Ellinger said that didn't work, so he tapped the man again.

"He turns around and tells me, 'Hit me again, I'm going to throw you over the balcony,'" Ellinger said.

Ellinger said he told an usher, and then told the man someone was coming over.

"Just like that, [he] stands up, cold-cocks me with the right hand, and at the same time, grabs my hair with the left and just pulls me down -- whoa," Ellinger said.

Both men were eventually kicked out the concert.

Ellinger said what's more shocking is the fact that this happened in the first place.

"You would think the symphony would be the last bastion of hope for civility to exist, said Ellinger. "Nope -- Not anymore."

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