Cadet sues R&B singer LaBelle over airport beating

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ^ | 6/2/11 | ALLAN TURNER

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Lawyers for a West Point cadet who says bodyguards for soul singer Patti LaBelle beat him while he was waiting for a ride at a Houston airport released security video Thursday showing the student being pushed and punched by two men and a woman.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7592273.html#ixzz1OEBHK1oZ

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Had I seen any evidence of the Cadet acting “unbecoming”, I wouldn’t have posted anything. Even if he had flunked a Breathalyzer, I would have looked for aggressive behavior and, if found, would have let it pass, felt sad and hoped the price wouldn’t have been too great (as most of these guys and gals who enter the military academies would rather die than fail). I didn’t, however, nor is there any evidence of intoxication, and to think his career might be over because of Ms. LaBelle’s perceived slight, or her guards overzealous performance of their duties, or the unthinkable ”racism” makes me nauseous.

[dead]

And yet, FReepers can always be relied upon to gobble up the skittles and unicorns story that the lawyer spins for them.

LOL! Man, you have serious issues.

I don't care what the lawyer's opinion is. I heard the cadet describe the incident in his own words and I saw the video tape which partially confirms and does nothing to invalidate his version of events.

Maybe you got some sort of man crush on Patti LaBelle or something, I don't know, but I'm going to eat a skittle and believe my lying eyes on this one.

[grasshopper2]

Despite this King’s superiors at West Point are going to throw this kid under the bus because he MAY have had a beer or 2 and got ambushed because he strayed too close to somebody’s imaginary comfort zone.

Yes, and according to the video, he was standing at that spot first. Then the diva's luggage was brought near him and shortly therafter, the body guard pushed him.

What we see here is a man minding his own business who gets shoved and then when he raises his arm defensively, he gets beaten to the ground by three thugs who don't even offer aid.

And to add insult to injury, the HPD defame him to his superiors at West Point and now his career is ruined and reputation stained.

I hope this guy gets millions from Patti LaBelle and his reputation back.

[SeeSac]

It appeared to me that the cadet was not fully facing the 1st dude that ‘bumped’ him. It also appeared that the cadet acted reflexively, pushing off the guard as he turned.

He was also still on the phone with it held to his ear.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Hell, he dropped it on the second punch, tried to recover it and dropped it because his equilibrium was affected. C’mon. I think this was a beat down so over the top it can't be ignored. By the way, I'd say the same thing if our Cadet had been black and the perpetrators had been white and the “celebrity” was Lady GaGa. This stinks.

[grasshopper2]

He was also still on the phone with it held to his ear

Yes, it's plainly clear that he's having a cell phone conversation; even using his hands to gesticulate. This fact negates the thug's statement that the cadet "became verbally abusive." The video shows he was talking on the phone not to the bodyguard.

I hope this goes to trial and the all the HPD officers involved are exposed as corrupt and dismissed without pensions.

[crosshairs]

LaSmell is an uppity racist.

[RabidBartender]

"Wearing a military uniform does not give anyone a pass to act like a fool. I witnessed more than a few drunk sailors get their @$$ kicked, first by some redneck and then by the Shore Patrol. "

I agree with you. When I was stationed in Korea in the 90's I saw more than my fair share of drunk GIs getting stupid and getting in trouble.

However, I like to think West Point's high entry standards (don't you still need a US Senator's recommendation?) would speak well for the young man's character. As opposed to the attacking thugs who likely didn't finish high school.

[dead]

Here's a little background on the cadet and his family:

High School: Two-time all-district selection at Klein Forest High in Houston, Texas ... played for head coach Ken Hammock ... two-time letterwinner ... split time between safety and cornerback positions ... served as team captain as a senior ... helped squad to district championship that season ... standout soccer player as well ... four-time letterwinner in that sport ... established single season school school record for goals with 19 during final campaign ... all-district choice ... played club/select soccer for Houston Texans Red team ... member of squad for eight years ... team placed third nationally in 2004 ... served as Student Ambassador throughout high school tenure ... National Honor Society member.

Personal: Born Sept. 3, 1987 ... given name is Richard Charles King ... parents' names are Charles and Marie King ... paternal grandfather, J.T. King, served as collegiate football coach for 45 years ... filled assistant's position at Texas, Texas A&M, Tulane and Texas Tech, among others ... coached in 13 postseason bowl games and was longtime bellwether in Southwest Conference ... family sports long history of military service ... maternal grandfather, Walter Ambrose, served in U.S. Army during World War II ... lists Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart among military honors ... part of contingent that landed on Omaha Beach during Normandy invasion ... fought in Battle of Bulge ... uncle, Walter Ambrose, graduated from West Point in 1970 ... uncle, John King, served as U.S. Air Force pilot during Vietnam ... mother, Marie, served as Flight Nurse in U.S. Air Force ... cousin, John Heaps, graduated from U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 ... cousin, Benjamin Ambrose, graduated from West Point in 1998 and remains in U.S. Army ... Richard enjoys fishing and going to movies during spare time ... majoring in Management.

[Tallguy]

The article said that King was 23. Did he have prior enlisted service or did he attend a prep-school (junior college) prior to going to West Point?

The reason I ask is that he is listed in the article as being on active-duty while being ordered to attend some sort of counseling. If King were prior-enlisted, that makes sense for a "suspended" cadet. It would also make sense if King had already been expelled from West Point, since expulsion after the start of one's Junior year incurs an active duty obligation as an enlisted man.

Maybe the reporter just got his age wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

[mas cerveza por favor]

We are a society in transition and some people fail to realize their people no longer govern or enjoy high status. We the vanquished must learn how to exhibit signs of submission when in the presence of hostile conquerors. Stand with your head bowed, never, never look the conqueror in the eye as he may feel you are hostile, shuffle the feet and turn the palms of your hands outward, mumble; yes sir, and no sir. By following the aforementioned procedure one might escape a good thrashing.

...or escape being fired like Glenn Beck.

[Blue Ink]

I get so sick of star suck-up cops. Here in LA, it’s disgusting.

There should be a rule that any cop posing for a picture with anyone or asking for an autograph should immediately be suspended. It’s unprofessional, undignified, and doesn’t “just give the appearance of” — it PROMOTES preferential treatment of celebrities. They had video — Ms. LaBelle should have been arrested on the spot for sicing her goons on that kid.

[rlmorel]

Did you notice the way the fat a-hole stood over him while he was supine?

Given what I have heard about her and the people she surrounds herself with, I have a pretty good guess as to what kind of talk was coming out of his pie-hole.

[rlmorel]

Wow.

[rlmorel]

Hm. Sure does sound to ME like a guy who is going to pick a fight with a bunch of people he doesn’t know.

And the guys surrounding Patti Labelle (again, knowing what I know of her up to this point) sure don’t sound like gang-bangers who were collecting a paycheck instead of the other ways they normally get income.

/S

[PLD]

It was probably Obama that send word that the young man is to be dismissed..I really would not doubt it..Take up for the black brother at all cost..I hope that old black cow gets what is coming to her and curses on her crew and herself..

[wardaddy]

My candor is often unappreciated here..thanks

[wardaddy]

As usual...blame the white guy for you....one night johnny

I’m surprised you survived JRs homo sympathy purges...

I’ll ping ya to the next Bonfire of the Cakers they throw here

[PapaBear3625]

It was probably Obama that send word that the young man is to be dismissed..I really would not doubt it..Take up for the black brother at all cost..I hope that old black cow gets what is coming to her and curses on her crew and herself..

Houston is a Democrat city where only 26% of residents are non-Hispanic white. I would imagine that Houston PD would be very sensitive to the idea of a black celebrity facing legal issues over this. The news articles state that King's expulsion occurred after somebody (presumably somebody high up, in order to have this immediate effect) made a call. I would like to know who called and what was said. Perhaps some people should ask questions of Houston's

Chief of Police Charles A. McClelland, Jr.

I would really like to find out what allegations were made, and WHO in the police dept made them.