Judo champ jailed in train station beating

Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, October 3, 2009

(10-02) 13:55 PDT MENLO PARK --

Matthew Walker, 25, of Tacoma, Wash., won his category in the 2009 President's Cup tournament held in June by USA Judo, the sport's governing body in this country. On Friday, however, he was in San Mateo County Jail on $100,000 bail stemming from the late-night incident at the Menlo Park train station.

Walker, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall and 275 pounds, is to be arraigned Monday in San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City.

According to prosecutors, the shorter, lighter victim, a 25-year-old man, and his 23-year-old friend from New York met Walker and a second man, Robert Davis, 22, of Redwood City, after they all got off the Caltrain headed home from a Giants game Tuesday night.

The Menlo Park man approached Walker - who was wearing a judo jacket - and they struck up a conversation about their shared passion, prosecutors said. The man had some training in aikido, prosecutors said.

"They start playing around - it gets out of hand from the victim's perspective and the victim asks Walker to stop," said Deputy District Attorney Morris Maya. "The play, or whatever it is, escalates and the victim says, 'Cut it out, this isn't funny anymore.' "

The New York man pulled out his cell phone either to photograph or film the confrontation. Davis, according to Maya, grabbed the phone and passed it to Walker.

Walker then allegedly demanded $20 to give it back.

Maya said the Menlo Park man then pulled out his own cell phone to call 911. Walker grabbed that phone, dropped it to the platform and Davis picked it up, Maya said.

"Both Walker and Davis then attacked the victims and beat them severely," Maya said.

The Menlo Park man ended up with a broken leg and facial wounds, Maya said. The New York victim was knocked out.

Menlo Park police saw the second victim wandering in the street and began an investigation. Both men were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Davis and Walker were found walking through a parking lot nearby. Police saw Walker tossing items into a garbage can that turned to be one of the victim's cell phones, prosecutors said.

Both men were charged with assault and robbery. Davis is free on $50,000 bail, and Walker is trying to hire a lawyer.

"Obviously, somebody who has a pretty substantial background certainly got carried away," Maya said. "It turned into a scenario when the defendant was more interested in demonstrating his dominance."

E-mail Jaxon Van Derbeken at jvanderbeken@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

from http://www.sfgate.com/

That isnt right.

A friendly sparring match is a friendly sparring match. Once the other guy gives up, thats it.

His skill lacks honor.

People should realize that this stuff happens, yes #sses can learn martial arts too, but that doesnt speak for all of us judo champs out there.

Martial arts in general these days, lack honor.

Its all Dana White's fault.

BUT

Then again, without dan white, there would be no mma really... Because he teamed up with donald trump (i saw it on you tube) and took over the whole empire.

That being said, i think if he places ufc under new management and does what bill gates did, It would be much better because quite frankly, his head is just too shiny to look at. It hurts my eyes, its like looking into the sun with binoculars. Just kidding dana, i know you are reading this... I cant lie, you are awesome.

That is my commentary. sorry it isnt relevant.

I don't really think MMA or sport martial arts have anything to do with this incident.

Two thugs, acting like thugs (regardless of what kind of training they've had), picking on a weaker person.

This story has nothing to do with martial arts. Other then the media wanted to use it to sensationalize their story.

I thought Dana White purchased the UFC format from the Gracie family?

I wonder how this kid would do against that judo thug..... (the clip gets better after the first few replays)... http://www.break.com/index/strongest-kid-youve-ever-seen.html

Bob#2

Imagine what that kid had to go through, he's 4!

That being said... Wow, that was amazing.

Kid is going to have a hard life if he expects to maintain that physique, talk about getting an early start... Dad must be slighty neurotic.

chris i agree.

Teaching people how to fight without teaching them how to be good humble people, imo, is like feeding them into the mouth of a hungry beast.

THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111110841t64

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/10/02/ba-judo03_0500677129_part1.jpg

pic of the main judo thug.

they should house the pizza thug with the judo thug in the same cell what do u guys think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10b2ZTYmmWA