The "Killing The Bouncer That Told My Friend To Stop Smoking Was Heroic" Defense

After many years of courtroom dramas and televised trials, Gothamist would think that defense attorneys tactics would never seem that surprising. But, lo and behold, in the case of an April 2003 killing of a bouncer, we admit we're impressed and disgusted by the moxie of the defense. One evening, soon after the Mayor's smoking ban, two smoking brothers were hauled outside of East Village club Guernica by a bouncer. In the scuffle, the bouncer, Dana Blake, was both stabbed and incapacitated, later dying, making Blake the first casualty of the smoking ban. Now, over a year later during the trial, the defense attorney for Isais Umali, friend of the brothers, says Umali's actions were heroic because the bouncer was strangling one of his friends. Oh, and Umali is a skilled martial arts (kali, which is Philippine knife fighting), and it turns out that Blake died when Umali used one of his knife moves ("a thrust, twist, and a pull"). Prosecutors say that the incident between Blake and Umali's friend was an "every day incident" that dind't warrant his "special kali move." Prosecutors also have Umali's kali master testifying against him; Umali fled to the friend's house after the incident (the friend also threw Umali's bloody clothes away, and now is testifying against him in a deal with the DA's office). Umali's defense attorneys point out that Blake was 365 pounds and 6'6", while Umali is 140 pounds and 5'7", and that killing Blake was not part of the plan. Gothamist cannot buy this "heroic act" defence, because, seriously, who stabs someone unless they really really want to hurt them? One additional fact the Daily News pointed out that Gothamist thought was interesting: Chan is the son of a Chinatown gang leader.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 26, 2004 8:34 AM

Comments [rss]

newyorker

first of all, i think every last one of you people reading this garbage needs to recognize this publication for what it is -- GARBAGE. it is extremely biased, and the so-called "reporters" should be ashamed of themselves. secondly, i am not condoning the killing of the bouncer. but there is nothing wrong with learning martial arts; it is the person's responsiblity to control themselves and whatever knowledge they have acquired. it is by no way, shape, or form the instructor's fault, and most certainly should not be looked down upon. also, i don't understand why such strong emphasis is placed on the fact that these people are asian and that they live in chinatown, or even the fact that the chans' father was part of a gang. why should they be pointed out for the sins of their father? i think it is ridiculous the way some of the media is portraying a story in such a way -- REAL journalists would tell the story, not put a tabloid spin on it. take your ignorant racist words and step away from your computers. and don't come back until you know how to write the NEWS.

Jackson Lai

Yay Umali. Teach them stupid steroidal bouncers and any other loudmouths out there what the tiny yellow man could be potentially capable of. Why? Because I too have come face to face with such a-holes during the course my life so I know exactly what it's like to be humiliated and looked down upon like that. Blake probably thought he could simply grab a handful of these weak pathetic yellow folks like so many bugs, pick em up and throw them away like trash. Sorry big oaf, you're dead wrong. Very dead wrong. Plus you picked on a bunch of punks that are ten times as bad as you. This sends a crucial message to other big bumbling idiots out there that think they can simply roll over the puny asian. We may be weak, but you will certainly die for your efforts.

u

what do you mean, "both stabbed and incapacitated?"

Ron Mwangaguhunga

I am not a fan of steroidal bouncers who get off on their own meager power. But why the "twist" ... then why was this maneuver targeted to the groin? Couldn't he have made the point -- so to speak -- on the bouncers shoulder or leg? No, no, no -- this was a calculated and coldly executed maneuver that was meant to inflict maximum damage by an expert in a field where no civilized man should even be an expert.

What is even more disgusting and freaky is the relative ease and precision in which he delivered this fatal blow, which suggests, to me at least, that this isn't the first time that animal has pulled this particularly noxious stunt.

S.D.

Unfortunately: Nothing new here. His lawyer could spin any BS defense he wants, bottom line: That guy used a lethal weapon in a Non-lethal situation..

This "hero" ran from the scene, tried to ditch the evidence of his "heroic" actions, and went to his friends place covered in blood.

This same Friend testified that he was intoxicated when Umali came to his apartment...

"It wasn't bad or criminal. It was heroic,"?

Um, I wonder who Alen Lewis grew up idolizing??

Son Of Sam?

That boob should have cut a deal with the DA...