Groom Apologizes For Wedding Brawl That Made National Headlines

A Pennsylvania groom who was arrested at his wedding during a massive brawl in June apologized Monday during his sentencing in Berks County court.

Nicholas Papoutsis, 31, told a judge he was embarrassed for his role in the brawl, which also resulted in the arrest of six of his guests, the Reading Eagle reported. Papoutsis was sentenced to two years probation in connection with the wedding brawl, which required the response of 25 officers, two K-9 units and a prisoner transport vehicle.

The fight happened during Papoutsis’ wedding reception at the Blue Falls Grove venue. He reportedly challenged officers to a duel during the melee; four officers were hospitalized from injuries sustained while restoring order.

It reportedly began when one woman punched another for allowing her 14-year-old son to drink alcohol. It quickly went downhill from there.

“The mother of this child ended up punching that woman in the face,” Scott Eaken of the Northern Berks Regional Police Department said, according to WPVT.

When police arrived, it was mayhem: “People were scattered on the grounds, some of them shirtless and bloodied,” officers told the Eagle. The bride, who was later treated for alcohol poisoning, was reportedly on the ground, distressed about the reception ruckus.

“I tried reasoning with (Papoutsis), telling him that he didn’t really want to get arrested on his wedding night,” Northern Berks Officer Sean Showalter wrote in an affidavit obtained by The Eagle.

Papoutsis was charged with disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and interfering with the administration of law, court records show.

Officers had to deploy a stun gun on one guest because he was trying to prevent police from coming into the facility, the Daily News reported. That guest also allegedly tried to grab one officer’s groin.

In addition to the bride, the 14-year boy was also treated for alcohol poisoning, the Daily News said. His blood alcohol level was 0.16 percent, police told the publication.

Six guests were also arrested for various charges, including aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. The parents of the intoxicated 14-year-old were charged with furnishing alcohol to minors.