Rock star Courtney Love was accused of assaulting two teenagers during a March concert in Orlando.
Ryan O'Donell, an 18-year-old high school senior, testified that Love jumped from the stage at the Edge in downtown Orlando and punched him five times in the chest after demanding that men move back from the stage to let some women get closer to her band, Hole.
The other alleged victim, Robert Lukas, a 19-year-old college student, said Love punched him three times in the chest.
Love's attorney, Jim Russ, contended the two boys knew the concert could be dangerous and got what they paid for. Russ also said the teens accused Love of punching them so they could sue her.
Lukas testified that he has not contacted a lawyer but was considering suing. O'Donell has met with lawyers, who Russ said have made a $40,000 claim.
Prosecutors argued that nobody had the right to come down off a concert stage and strike another person.
Verdict
On November 6, 1995, an Orange County judge dismissed the charges against Love. In ending the three-day trial, Judge Janis Halker said the teens weren't exposed to any greater amount of violence than could reasonably be expected at an alternative rock concert.
After the trial, Love, the widow of Nirvana band leader Kurt Cobain, said that because of the charges against her she may have to rethink whether she will continue to dive into crowds at concerts.
