August 20, 2009
(8-16) Patrick Kane 2 – mugshot/cabbie
(8-17) Patrick Kane prepared statement (video/text)
(8-17) Patrick Kane talks with reporters (audio)
(8-19) Grand Jury indicts Patrick Kane on misdemeanor charges
Well, I’ve read a couple of enlightening articles at the BUFFALO NEWS. This from GENE WARNER & AARON BESECKER.
As far as the arraignment before Chief City Judge THOMAS P AMODE:
- Lasted 5 minutes.
- No cameras allowed per defense’s request.
- Patrick Kane’s parents accompanied him, as did his lawyer, PAUL CAMBRIA.
- Entered non-guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charges of 3rd degree assault and theft of services and harassment – a violation.
- Next hearing next Thursday at 10:30.
- Clients do not have to be in court.
As far as PATRICK KANE‘s post-court remarks (audio):
Spent three days skating with some of the best hockey players in the world.
And it reminded me how lucky I am to do this job for a living.
I’m grateful to be part of the Blackhawks organization.
And hopefully, I can play for my country at the Olympics.
As far as the case:
Today was, was a tough day for us.
You know, I just reiterated to the judge that I’m not guilty of any crime, and I’m confident in the legal process.
You know, right now, much more can’t be said
So, I’m confident in the legal process — I believe in it.
Hopefully, this time will [inaudible].
HARRY SCULL JR/Buffalo News — photo
He looks like he’s aged 10 years. His eyes are empty. It’s really very sad. I sure would like to know who his dad is looking at.
He got involved in something that happens – right or wrong – to college kids, only he’s on the world stage. And at a time where he should be happy, trying out for the Olympics, he has this on his mind. As I said previous, in the old days before media piranhas existed, this would have been taken care of privately, between the two parties. And it would have been appropriate. I’m sure the Erie County Grand Jury has more important cases to deliberate.
How many 20 year-old kids have to face a media feeding frenzy after pleading non-guilty to misdemeanor charges?
This article source is GENE WARNER at the BUFFALO NEWS.
Here’s a version of Kanes’ account that sheds a very different light on the situation. The cabbie, JAN RADECKI, allegedly thought they were college kids who were going to stiff him because they didn’t know the exact address they were going to. Evidently, the cabbie can automatically lock the doors, which is allegedly what he did and wouldn’t let them out of the cab even after they gave him the fare.
Why is that not a charge on the cabbie?
Here’s what WARNER got from his SOURCES:
CABBIE: I’m not letting you out ’til you pay the fare.
KANES: Open the door. Let us out.
Kanes “either shoved or threw $15 at cabbie”.
A KANE: Now unlock the doors and give us some change.
CABBIE: The fare was $13.80.
A KANE: We don’t care. We want our change.
Seems reasonable now if he wasn’t allowing them out.
What ensued next is not clear, as yet, but the cabbie ended up with a broken nose and glasses. $10 was found in the van and 1/2 of a fiver in James Kane’s pocket.
What does RADECKI want?
His attorney, ANDREW C. LOTEMPIO:
He doesn’t want them to have criminal records. He doesn’t want them to go to jail.
He does want them to apologize to him publicly.
WARNER explains that they are still working on an agreement: plead guilty to just a violation (harassment, which probably entails a fine) or be granted an “adjournment in contemplation of dismissal”.
LOTEMPIO:
Usually, there’s some plea bargaining from there . . . We are not opposed, even if the two of them get ACDs [adjournments in contemplation of dismissal].
As far as the charge of 3rd-degree assault: victim incurs a physical injury without the use of a weapon.
And as far as the felony robbery charge that was dismissed – the Kanes did not enter the van with the intent to forcibly steal money and they allegedly handed over the fare initially.
Since the cabbie wants a public apology – does that include an admittance of guilt or just sorry whatever happened happened?
One wonders how much the private reparations will be to RADECKI and how much that is entering into the pleas deal.
