Kahne pleads not guilty to misdemeanor charge stemming from Miami incident
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Thursday, January 10, 2008
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SCENE ON THE CIRCUIT
Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne has filed a written plea of not guilty to a charge of misdemeanor battery stemming from an alleged pushing incident with a security guard outside the drivers’ motorhome lot Nov. 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The not-guilty plea was filed Jan. 3 in Florida court in Miami and asks for a jury trial on the charge. Kahne has hired Richard Sharpstein as his attorney. Sharpstein has been in the news recently as the attorney and family friend of murdered Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. No trial date has been set.
According to witness statements in the police report, Kahne’s brother, Kale, said Kahne was pushing the guard’s hands off of him, while the security guard, Archibald Hutchinson, claims Kahne shoved him, causing him to fall to the ground.
Kahne, who is listed at 5-foot-8, 140 pounds in the police report, was wearing his driver’s uniform at the time of the incident and was attempting to go into the motor-home lot. Hutchinson claims he did not recognize Kahne.
Four law enforcement officers witnessed the incident, and Kahne was taken into custody Nov. 17 and was released after agreeing to appear in court.
Kahne also faces a civil suit stemming from the incident. Hutchinson’s suit asks for an unspecified amount in excess of $15,000, claiming Kahne caused him “severe physical injuries.” In a news release announcing the suit, attorney Russell Dohan indicated that Hutchinson has been unable to return to work.
“Gillett Evernham Motorsports is a close family, and Kasey Kahne is an integral part of our organization,” GEM President Rick Russell said in a statement Dec. 18. “The alleged action in this case is not consistent with the Kasey Kahne we know. It is unfortunate the issue has progressed to this point.
“We support our driver, Kasey Kahne, and have complete confidence in the legal process.”
The maximum sentence for misdemeanor battery in Florida is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, although it would be rare for someone to receive that sentence.
Kahne has had no comment on the charge or the suit, according to his agent, Rod Moskowitz.
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Kasey Kahne
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