Police called to cinema as passions rise (teen girls arrested at The Passion for fighting with cops)

Fort Worth Star Telegram ^ | 02/27/2004 | Deanna Boyd

[jtminton]

Moviegoers jumped to their feet and broke into applause during Mel Gibson's controversial The Passion of The Christ at a south Fort Worth movie theater.

But it wasn't for the movie.

Instead, the standing ovation was given to two Fort Worth police officers who, after an action-packed struggle, detained two girls who created a disturbance inside the theater.

The sideshow began about 10:05 p.m. Wednesday -- during the movie's opening credits -- when a 15-year-old girl began arguing with some other teens inside the AMC Hulen Theater, 6330 Hulen Bend Blvd.

"It seems these guys just came in. They wanted to sit down in these seats, and the young lady didn't want them to sit in front of her in the movie," said officer M.E. Povero.

Management was summoned and told the girl she would have to calm down or leave. She responded with some choice R-rated language and, when told police would be called, challenged, "Bring them on."

Enter leading officer P.F. Morrison, who tried to remove the girl for criminal trespassing. Povero arrived in time to see the girl kicking and swinging at Morrison.

"When she kicked him, that's when the manager ran out, turned the lights on and stopped the movie," Povero said. "I guess he knew it was going to escalate from there."

Before an audience of about 150 people, the two officers battled for about five minutes to handcuff the girl while also trying to thwart her 16-year-old sister's attempts to stop them.

"It was like I was trying to take this person under control in a church," Povero said.

During an especially graphic moment, Morrison was kicked in the groin.

"He used a lot of restraint after being kicked in the groin and being able to control his emotions," Povero said. "He said his adrenaline was so high at the time, he didn't feel any pain."

The 15-year-old was detained for resisting arrest and her 16-year-old sister for hindering apprehension. As they were led out, the audience showed their appreciation with the ovation.

Povero said the girls' embarrassed 21-year-old sister told police that she had taken her little sisters to the movie because she believed it would be a good experience for them.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deanna Boyd, (817) 390-7655 dboyd@star-telegram.com

[kjam22]

A good left hook and 3 days in jail might be a good experience for them as well.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Would this have been news if it happened during a showing of "Weekend At Bernie's 3: I'm Not Dead Yet!"?

[The Great RJ]

My viewing of The Passion last night was marred by some idiot's cell phone playing the "Pink Panther" theme. Some people have no class or even common sense.

[jtminton]

I saw it Wed night and sat in front of the guy who snuck in the loudest cellophane wrapped candy in the world. When I finally told myself that the next time he made noise I was going to turn around, he must have finished it.

[TheBigB]

How dare those cops! What if all there were in the audience was well-mannered, quiet, polite people? Then the audience wouldn't have reflected the makeup of the city! Diversity! Diversity!

[sausageseller]

Two demons cast out!

Thats a good start.

[Indie]

Resisting arrest? How about aggravated assault on a police officer? I wonder what kind of person behaves like this...wish I could have heard the names but they were juveniles.

Kudos to the officers AND the audience for cheering...and it would have been news no matter which movie it was in when someone fights the police.

[Fenris6]

My viewing of The Passion last night was marred by some idiot's cell phone playing the "Pink Panther" theme

I've determined that ripping the cell phone away from the offender's ear and dashing it against the far wall is very satisfying :)

[Steve_Seattle]

I'm going to "The Passion" tonight, and a friend and I first thought of going to a theatre near the University of Washington. We abandoned this idea, fearing the showing would be marred by comments from juvenile liberal ass*****. So we'll attend the movie at a theatre in another neighborhood.

[freekitty]

My hometown. I might add my husband's hometown is Fresno, CA.

[marshmallow]

I've decided to forego the "theater experience" of what I'm expecting to be a spiritual and prayerful occasion.

I'm going to wait till it comes out on CD and then view it in the calm and quiet of my own den.

Something like this deserves more than popcorn, cell phones and fights over seats.

[kjam22]

My church has rented out several theaters for this Sunday night. Each member who goes pays for his own ticket. I'm looking forward to it. Seeing it with my wife and several of our close friends from church.

[Diddle E. Squat]

LOL

[ArrogantBustard]

Something like this deserves more than popcorn, cell phones and fights over seats.

I've seen it twice, in two different theatres ... no cell phones, no fights (despite sold-out house both times), and very little munchies. I bought candy from the concession, but will eat it later. Like, in about 40 days... ;')

[general_re]

My viewing of The Passion last night was marred by some idiot's cell phone playing the "Pink Panther" theme.

There's always this. Hypothetically speaking, of course - while it would be hypothetically fun to use one of these devices, such hypothetical usage is hypothetically illegal, so nobody would ever actually do such a thing, I'm sure.

:^)

[Texas2step]

I bought candy from the concession, but will eat it later.

You did show your support for the theater!!! Yeah!

Like, in about 40 days... ;')

LOL!

[RandallFlagg]

---And people wonder why I don't go to the movies anymore...

[Fenris6]

"I bought candy from the concession, but will eat it later."

?? People still do this? Wifey & I always hit 7-11 first and sneak the food past in her purse. No way am I paying $20 for a coke, box of candy, and popcorn.