In case you missed it, actor Rick Medina, who portrayed Cole the Red Ranger in 2002’s Power Rangers Wild Force and villain Deker in 2011’s Power Rangers Samurai, has been arrested for the murder of 36-year-old Joshua Sutter. According to various reports, Medina was involved in a heated argument with his roommate when he escaped to his room. When his roommate forced himself in, Medina somehow brandished a sword and killed Sutter. Medina called the police himself shortly after. You can read this news anywhere online, but UPROXX has, in my opinion, the best researched piece, right down to the correct picture of Rick Medina, and not any of the original Power Rangers. I expected better from A.V. Club.
When the initial reports came in about a former Power Ranger who killed his roommate, I dreaded the incoming messages I’d receive. I did not look forward to the wave of jokes, misinformation, and constant rumor debunking I’d have to do, because I’m the “Power Rangers” guy in every social circle I’m in and people expect me to explain things to them even though I already have been clarifying such rumors for years. No one listens. No, the producers weren’t racist. No, the Red Ranger did not do gay porn, he was a military medic (and even if he did gay porn, who fucking cares?). No, a Power Ranger hasn’t already killed someone before, that piece of shit was just an extra no one can point out. Still, people talk and the inevitable game of telephone mucks up what should already be a straight-forward story.
Sure enough, I was messaged throughout the day by various, truly well-meaning friends and acquaintances who only know anything about Power Rangers because of my association.
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As someone who has worked in some capacity with several former Power Rangers actors in the last few years, I feel like I have this unenviable responsibility to actually clear up a lot of misinformation and confusion that is bound to occur when any news comes out of a 20+ year old pop culture joke. I have to fight the snark and the dirty mess because somebody fucking died for no good reason and no one is willing to stand up for good taste and accuracy, and nobody cares to get their information right. I have to stop a tidal wave from hitting the shore and no one is listening to me when I yell to get to high ground.
My only solace is that I’m not alone. With me on this: Some actual, former Power Rangers themselves. Enter Austin St. John — yes, Jason, the ORIGINAL Red Ranger from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, former military paramedic and never has been an adult film star — offers the best, most poignant perspective on the incident. I do not know how well Austin knew Rick Medina, but they have worked together — they shared many scenes together in the “Forever Red” 10th anniversary special in 2002 — and, as Austin has said in interviews before, everyone who has ever been on the show are on the same team (this was in reference to rumors of alleged heat between himself and former Green/White Ranger Jason David Frank).
“What else really can be said that wouldn’t be a waste of everybody’s time?” Those are some amazing words, almost a shame they were used for this particular incident because they can be applicable for almost all baffling, equally heartbreaking news we hear about too often.
Also a shame: I will bet you all the money in the world and everything I own that this video gets zero traction from other geek news outlets.
I sincerely hope everybody finds peace soon.