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Seventh Motorcyclist Charged In SUV Driver Beatdown
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 11, 2013
Modified Oct 11, 2013
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 11, 2013
Modified Oct 11, 2013
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A seventh motorcyclist has been charged for his alleged involvement in the incident in which a group of motorcyclists chased and beat a terrified SUV driver last month. James Kuehne, 31, has been charged with gang assault, assault and criminal mischief charges for the incident that occurred on September 29th. Police say he hit SUV driver Alexian Lien with his helmet and also broke a part of the SUV's back window.
Prosecutors added that Kuehne was one of at least five or six motorcyclists who could be seen on video beating Lien “at least three times while he was on the ground” with his helmet. Motorcyclist Robert Sims, who police say also tried to open the SUV's door, also appeared in court yesterday, but he has not been charged as of yet.
Kuehne's lawyer told reporters that he expected new evidence to be released that would give new context to the melee: "He happens to be an individual that's very upset and very distraught about this entire situation," said lawyer Joseph Mure. "I promise you as this case goes on, we're going to hear things that took place that day a lot different than were shown on the videos. Things are not always what they seem to be."
This comes a day after it was revealed that 28-year-old Internal Affairs Bureau officer Matthew Rodriguez has come forward and admitted he was riding with the group as well; no charges have been filed against Rodriguez, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Post dug up some more information about Detective Wojciech Braszczok, the former Occupy Wall Street undercover detective who was charged this week for his role in the incident. His neighbors in Long Island City told the Post he threw loud rooftop parties, and implied he smoked pot. “How can a cop be here and not stop it?” the neighbor asked them of the beating. “You’d think he was on the other side.”
Tagged
Alexian Lien
James Kuehne
motorcycle rally road rage
motorcyclists
nypd
police
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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