Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Leah on July 29, 2008 at 10:21am

is that guy kidding me? there's not even a question that it was completely intentional! that poor biker...

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Permalink Reply by J Mills on August 1, 2008 at 1:34pm

To hell with that cop. That's ridiculous. Wow, I don't know what else to say.

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Permalink Reply by natalee on August 2, 2008 at 8:43pm

the cop was stripped of his badge, though, yes?

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Permalink Reply by evanK on August 4, 2008 at 5:44am

it's too bad the video came out before the trial...
we could have gotten the cop for being an asshole AND lying about it.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Behymer on August 5, 2008 at 2:46am

evanK said:

it's too bad the video came out before the trial...
we could have gotten the cop for being an asshole AND lying about it.

But he did file a police report which is pretty clearly contradicted by the video evidence, and . The report: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0729081bike1.html

Deponent states that deponent observed the defendant obstructing vehicular traffic by riding defendant's bicycle in the center lane of traffic while traveling southbound on 7th Avenue at the above-named location and while weaving defendant's bicycle in and out of the center lane of traffic, thereby forcing multiple vehicles to stop abruptly or change their direction in order to avoid hitting the defendant. Deponent further states that the defendant's above-described conduct caused public disturbance and inconvenience in that it caused disruption of the normal flow of vehicular traffic. Deponent further states that upon instructing the defendant to cease the above-described conduct, the defendant steered the defendant's bicycle in the direction of deponent and drove defendant's bicycle directly into deponent's body, causing deponent to fall to the ground and causing deponent to suffer lacerations on deponent's forearms.

I believe the charges against the bicyclist have already been dropped. We've yet to see whether any charges will be brought against the officer.

natalee said:

the cop was stripped of his badge, though, yes?

He's been put on modified duty while the case is investigated, which is standard procedure. He's a third-generation officer and the police union has come out in support of him, in what seems like flagrant disregard for the facts. This case will be closely watched by the police in NYC, as there is a history of antagonism between the force and Critical Mass, and I imagine many of them would like nothing better than a clear green light to keep busting heads.

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