Another quick thought, for some reason the name "scooter" is cute and non threatening to the average citizen, and the guy is walking on crutches with a walking cast type gizmo on his left foot. Okay, we have a cute non threatening name and a guy that is busted up on crutches, and idiotic charges after 2 million dollars and two years,charged on the last day, that equals sympathy to me. I could be wrong it is JMHO.
Brilliant! I think your observation just might wash. He might be seen a sympathetic figure.