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发帖数: 4021 | 1 http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/07/us/bikers-attack-video/index.html
Motorcyclist charged in beating of SUV driver
By Steve Almasy and Susan Candiotti, CNN
updated 10:28 PM EDT, Mon October 7, 2013
Watch this video
Off-duty officers there for biker clash
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Suspect charged with gang assault, unlawful imprisonment
Police say video shows motorcyclist punched, kicked driver after dragging hi
m from SUV
Another biker's attorney says his client walked away after bashing window
Two undercover cops who were off-duty, riding with the motorcyclists, are be
ing questioned
New York (CNN) -- A 29-year-old motorcyclist has been charged with gang assa
ult and other charges in connection with the beating of an SUV driver in a h
igh-profile case caught on video last week, a law enforcement source told CN
N on Monday.
Craig Wright "hit (driver Alexian) Lien numerous times with his fists, feet,
and helmet after forcibly removing Lien from his SUV," the source added.
He is the latest person to be charged in the case that involved a group of m
otorcyclists on Manhattan's West Side Highway and Lien, who was driving a Ra
nge Rover along with his wife and small child.
Wright, who was arrested at his home in Brooklyn, also was charged with assa
ult and unlawful imprisonment and was to be arraigned Monday night.
He is also seen on a video punching through the window of the SUV, the sourc
e said. The video was taken with an iPad by someone who was at the scene of
the attack. The source didn't say whether the person who shot the video was
a biker or a bystander. New details emerge in biker, SUV clash Gloria Allred
blood all over him
The source said Wright's license tag was visible in the video -- which hasn'
t been released to the media -- and his uncle identified him for authorities
.
In March, Wright pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license, a spoke
sman for the Brooklyn district attorney's office said. It is unclear whether
he was driving with a suspended license at the time of the SUV incident.
He was also convicted in Virginia in 2005 for reckless driving.
One of the other bikers has been charged with the felonies of first-degree a
ssault and gang assault.
The lawyer for Reginald Chance, who was captured on video smashing his shiny
helmet into an SUV window, concedes his client "overreacted," but claims hi
s client did not take part in beating the driver.
One video, taken from a rider's helmet camera, shows bikers -- apparently an
gered when Lien's SUV collided with a biker who slowed abruptly -- pursuing
the vehicle until they could surround it and beat on the windows. Other phot
os show Lien beaten bloody and lying on the pavement.
New York police: Bikers stomped on SUV driver
Defense lawyer Gregory Watts said it's "a given" that Chance hit the SUV's w
indow with his helmet. But he said Chance then walked away.
He claimed Chance was knocked off his motorcycle by Lien's SUV after bikers
had surrounded the vehicle earlier.
"The law does permit someone who is a victim of an accident to at least atte
mpt to get the identification of the motorist," Watts said. "My client obvio
usly overreacted in that manner, but he is not this thug assaulting someone
who's harmless, contrary to the public opinion that's being put out there."
Police said Chance's license was suspended in June for six months.
Defenders of the bikers, including the relatives of one biker who was critic
ally injured, have criticized Lien for driving through the crowd of motorcyc
les.
Investigation involves off-duty cops
At least two off-duty undercover police officers who were riding with the mo
torcyclists that day are being questioned by internal affairs, a law enforce
ment official told CNN.
One of the officers reportedly told internal affairs investigators he didn't
come forward for four days because he was reportedly afraid his cover would
be blown. The officer has been assigned to desk duty. He has hired a lawyer
, sources told CNN.
The officer was riding with his motorcycle club when the incident occurred a
nd saw much of the confrontation, a law enforcement source told CNN on Frida
y.
Off-duty police officer among bikers who saw SUV driver beaten
A bump on a tire
Lien, with his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, was driving his Range Rov
er back from a wedding anniversary celebration.
The helmet video seized by police shows dozens of bikers swarming past him o
n Manhattan's West Side Highway. One motorcycle quickly slowed down in front
of Lien, who bumped its rear tire, slightly injuring rider Christopher Cruz
.
Lien pulled to a stop, and angry bikers surrounded his vehicle, hitting it a
nd spiking its tires, police said.
Lien stepped on the gas, plowing into three more bikers, including Edwin Mie
ses, whose wife says he is paralyzed.
The video shows the Range Rover stopping again -- long enough for a biker to
open the door -- and Lien then driving away until traffic forced him to the
final stop.
Police say the subsequent beating included kicks to Lien's head and body as
he lay on the highway.
Injuries to SUV driver, biker
Lien suffered two black eyes and cuts on his face and side, requiring stitch
es, a police detective's criminal complaint said.
His wife and daughter were unharmed.
Mieses' family, meanwhile, has said he was paralyzed and needs a ventilator
to breathe in the hospital.
They claim Mieses was trying to help Lien.
Chance's lawyer said prosecutors should conduct a grand jury investigation o
f Lien for hitting Mieses and Chance with the SUV.
Criminal case
Chance was ordered held on $75,000 bond Sunday.
Assistant District Attorney Samantha Turino said Chance's license had been s
uspended and he should not have been driving. She said Chance's arrest recor
d includes a marijuana charge in 2013 and attempted criminal possession of a
weapon in 2006.
Christopher Cruz, 28, who police say is the biker who slowed in front of Lie
n, was charged with reckless driving and other misdemeanors. He was released
on bond.
His lawyer, H. Benjamin Perez, said, "He never tried to assault him in any w
ay. And he does not know any of the other motorcyclists who were involved in
this beating."
Another biker, Robert Sims, is accused of stomping on Lien. He surrendered o
n Friday on charges of attempted assault and gang assault. |
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