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Customer-Bashing McDonald's Cashier Acted In Self-Defense, Says Dad
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 16, 2011
Modified Oct 16, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 16, 2011
Modified Oct 16, 2011
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While Rayon McIntosh, the McDonald's cashier who was arrested after beating two unruly customers with a metal rod at the West 3rd Street joint, was charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon, many people seemed to support his reaction. His dad points out to the Post, “You can’t go into a person’s workplace and attack them. Let’s be real now -- this was self-defense."
One of the customers slapped McIntosh when he went to check their $50 biill and then they both jumped the counter, prompting reactions like this one from our commenters, "i hope this guy beats the charge... from the description and video it looks like he kept his cool while getting completely harassed and then got slapped in the face and pursued behind the counter by a couple of complete lunatics. maybe he didn't have to hit them the 3rd or 4th time but that's adrenaline. good luck to him."
McIntosh, who has a manslaughter conviction from 2000 (he fatally shot a friend and another bullet struck a child; he was released from prison earlier this year), is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail at the Manhattan Detention Complex. The customers, Denise Darbeau and Rachel Edwards, were charged with charged with menacing, trespass and disorderly conduct. Darbeau also suffered a fractured skull and a broken arm."
McIntosh's father said, "We will not be railroaded," and hopes to hire a good defense lawyer. McDonald's issued a statement, "The violence in this video is alarming and reprehensible. The franchisee of this restaurant has told us that the individual involved no longer works for her organization. We strive to ensure that our McDonald's restaurants are safe and welcoming for our customers. Our franchisee is fully cooperating with authorities in the investigation."
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attack
beating
felony assault
mcdonald's
metal rod
self-defense
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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