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Phoenix Jones/Ben Fodor appearing outside court yesterday. AP Photo/Ted S Warren/PA Images
Superhero

Photos, video: Seattle 'Superhero' Phoenix Jones in court

Self-styled crime fighter Phoenix Jones, aka Ben Fodor, was in court over allegedly assaulting several people in a pepper spray incident earlier this month.

A SELF-STYLED ‘superhero’ who calls himself Phoenix Jones appeared in a Seattle court yesterday as prosecutors decided whether to file charges over an alleged pepper spray attack.

Twenty-three-year-old Jones, whose real name is Benjamin John Francis Fodor, was in court after allegedly assaulting several people with pepper spray while breaking up a fight outside a nightclub earlier this month. He was arrested on 9 October and released on bail of just under $4,000.

Fodor appeared in regular clothing during yesterday’s hearing, but donned his black and gold mask – which the judge asked him to remove. After the hearing, he tore his shirt off to reveal his superhero costume underneath and pulled his mask on.

Documentary maker Ryan McNamee has been following Jones/Fodor for several months in his pursuit to fight crime and captured footage of the incident which led to his arrest:

Prosecutors have not filed criminal charges, but have called for more time to consider bringing charges.

The Seattle Times reports that speaking briefly to the press after the hearing, he said he will continue his efforts to fight crime.

“In addition to being Phoenix Jones, I am also Ben Fodor, father and brother. I am just like everybody else. The only difference is that I try to stop crime in my neighbourhood and everywhere else,” he said.

Fodor has been advised to contact police when he sees any potentially illegal activity, rather than deal with it himself.

Photos, video: Seattle 'Superhero' Phoenix Jones in court
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  • Seattle Superhero

    Ben Fodor/Phoenix Jones outside court yesterday, announcing his intention to continue his patrols. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/PA Images)
  • Seattle Superhero

    Feburary 2011 photo of Phoenix Jones in downtown Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/PA Images)
  • Seattle Superhero

    Fodor dons his Phoenix Jones mask at a Seattle court yesterday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/PA Images)
  • Seattle Superhero

    Ben Fodor and one of his attorneys, Caitlin DiMotta, await the court hearing in Seattle yesterday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/PA Images)
  • Seattle Superhero

    Ben Fodor/Phoenix Jones appears in court yesterday over the alleged assault of several people outside a nightclub earlier this month. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/PA Images)

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