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Homeless men battle on the streets of Las Vegas in this image taken from "Bumfights: Cause for Concern Vol. 1."

Monday, June 24, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

'Bumfights' video prompts call for investigation from congressman

A fast-selling video featuring homeless men fighting and performing other risky stunts on the streets of Las Vegas has prompted a congressman to call for a federal investigation.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., this week spoke on the floor of Congress to express his outrage over "Bumfights: Cause for Concern Vol. 1."

The rapid-cut video, produced by two 23-year-old Las Vegans who say they are recent film school graduates, preys on the despair of those without the basic necessities, he said.

"I have been appalled at the people who would not just avoid helping but actually are seeking to exploit the homeless," Blumenauer said of the video "that films the abuse and violence against the homeless."

He read accounts of the film from the Review-Journal to illustrate what he called criminal conduct.

Blumenauer also said he has made inquiries to the heads of federal agencies in Las Vegas, including the FBI, U.S. Customs and U.S. Postal Service.

FBI special agent Daron Borst said the agency has reviewed information about the film, and has not found any apparent violations of federal law.

"If information comes to light in the future that would indicate there may be a federal violation, we will immediately reassess," Borst said.

The filmmakers, Ray Laticia and Ty Beeson, have said all of the homeless men appearing in the video did so by their own choice and signed consent forms in agreeing to the use of their images. Some were compensated for their acts.

Neither filmmaker could be reached for comment last week.

Since its release three months ago, the film has gained international attention but has drawn criticism from homeless advocates, ethicists and local police.

-- JULIET V. CASEY

and MICHAEL SQUIRES

Las Vegas woman charged in husband's slaying dies

A Las Vegas woman charged in 1999 with first-degree murder died May 8, 2001, a week before she was to stand trial in Tulsa, Okla., in connection with the 1980 slaying of her husband.

Patsy Jean Barbour was 69.

Barbour, also known as Patsy Woofter and Patsy Hardesty, was diagnosed with respiratory problems and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. She died in Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas of complications from throat cancer, said Roy Woofter, her defense attorney and cousin-in-law.

Her former husband, Andrew "Mac" Barbour Jr., was shot to death as he slept in the couple's southeast Tulsa condominium in Feb. 12, 1980. Nine years later, investigators arrested Barbour after receiving new information.

Barbour pleaded innocent to the charges and was released on $100,000 bail. Roy Woofter said that before her death, Barbour lived in her southeast Las Vegas home with her husband, William, and suffered from many maladies. She never reversed her plea.

-- K.C. HOWARD

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