Hollywood Stuntz gang assault: Difference between revisions

A total of 15 people were arrested, 55 motorcycles were confiscated, and 69 [[Summons|summonses]] were issued in connection September 29th event. Nine [[suspects]] have been charged in connection with the attack.<ref name=Manhattan>{{cite news|title=9th Suspect Charged In Manhattan Motorcycle-SUV Melee|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/23/9th-suspect-charged-in-manhattan-motorcycle-suv-melee/|newspaper=CBS New York|date=October 23, 2013}}</ref><ref name=stuntz>{{cite news|last=Tcholakian|first=Danielle|title=Biker gang assault: Who’s the man behind Hollywood Stuntz? - See more at: http://www.metro.us/newyork/news/2013/10/02/update-on-the-bike-gang-assault-the-man-behind-hollywood-stuntz/#sthash.cNrEnHA3.dpuf|url=http://www.metro.us/newyork/news/2013/10/02/update-on-the-bike-gang-assault-the-man-behind-hollywood-stuntz/|newspaper=Metro|date=October 2, 2013}}</ref>

Christopher Cruz, who wascollided driving in front ofwith Lien's vehicle at the beginning of the incident, has been arraigned in Manhattan on charges of reckless driving and [[False imprisonment|criminal imprisonment]].<ref name="nbc"/> Motorcyclist Reggie Chance, who was identified as the one who broke Lien's window with his helmet, and Robert Sims of [[Brooklyn]], is shown on the video attempting to open the SUV's driver's door turned themselves in separately to Manhattan's 33rd Precinct on October 4.<ref name="dailynews1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/celebrity-lawyer-gloria-allred-represents-biker-injured-suv-driver-attacked-upper-manhattan-article-1.1476093 |title=Motorcyclist charged with gang assault; Off-duty and undercover cops did nothing to stop biker beatdown of dad |first=Rocco |last=Parascandola |first2=Joe |last2=Kemp |first3=Larry |last3=Mcshane |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |date=October 4, 2013 |accessdate=October 14, 2013}}</ref>

Police have stated that they do not plan to file charges against Alexian Lien. In December 2013, Lien filed a [[civil suit]] against the city of New York for the involvement of an off-duty police detective in the attack. The suit accused the police department of failing to properly train their officers.<ref name=lawsuitlien>{{cite news|title=Alexian Lien, Man Attacked By Motorcyclists, Files Legal Claim Against New York City|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/18/alexian-lien-motorcycle-attacked-new-york-city_n_4623304.html|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=01/18/2014}}</ref>

The charges against most of the bikers involved in the incident were lessened in December 2013 because of the lack of severity of injuries to Lien. “The victim’s facial wounds look to be healing in a way which does not constitute facial disfigurement under the law,” said Manhattan Assistant [[District Attorney]] Joshua Stein­glass. The defendants, who were facing up to 25 years on charge of gang assault, are now facing up to 15 years if convicted on the lesser charge of attempted assault and attempted gang assault. A number of [[Plea deal|plea deals]] have been offered.<ref name=charges>{{cite news|last=Rosenberg|first=Rebecca|title=Charges set to be reduced against SUV biker bash thugs|url=http://nypost.com/2013/12/20/charges-set-to-be-reduced-against-suv-biker-bash-thugs/|newspaper=New York Post|date=December 20, 2013}}</ref>

Lawmakers are attempting to introduce motorcycle safety [[legislation]] that would require a permit for gatherings of 50 or more motorcycles, and notification to the communities through which they would be riding. “We’re not splicing atoms here. This is something that’s very not uncommon. You know, permits are required for all kinds of public assembly and activities, and there should be a similar process for motorcycles," said state [[Senator]] Andriano Espaillat. The legislation was inspired by the September 29 incident as well as the death of Marian Kurshik, 78, in December 2013 after being struck by a motorcycle traveling in a pack. “His feet was on the seat; the front wheel pulled up. He was going very fast," said a bystander. “This not only, I think, protects pedestrians. I think it also protects the motorcyclists themselves,” Espaillat said.<ref name=Melee>{{cite news|title=State Bill Seeks To Prevent Another Biker Melee|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/12/23/state-bill-seeks-to-prevent-another-biker-melee/|newspaper=CBS New York|date=December 23, 2013}}</ref>