Gay Bashing Investigation Goes International

Last September WPLJ deejay Blake Hayes (pictured left), and cabaret and Broadway performer Danny Calvert were attacked outside of McCoy's Bar in Hell's Kitchen, along with their friend Alec Bell. They claimed a man flicked a cigarette at them while saying, "Keep moving, faggots." When the trio quipped about the man's bald head, he became enraged, physically assaulted them, and said, "Die of AIDS, you fucking queers."

To add insult to injury, the police officers who showed up refused to take their attacker's information, or let them file a claim, and the bouncer who witnessed the attack allowed the man back into the bar. After City Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke up on behalf of the vicitms of the bias attack, Police Commissioner Kelly’s office agreed to conduct an investigation.

Now, the Daily News reports that it's turned into an international investigation, with the NYPD having tracked down the suspect, Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Ford (pictured right), in England. Ford's job is "to help protect the President and other world leaders," and he was in town last September when Obama was speaking at the UN.

An NYPD detective stationed in London tracked Ford down after he was fingered as the suspect by the Hate Crimes Task Force, and Ford admitted to being on the scene that night, but says Hayes, Calvert and Bell started the fight. It was all caught on tape, however, and allegedly that footage shows Ford as the one to lash out. While Ford has yet to be formally charged, officials say that the U.S. military plan to try him and serve up the appropriate punishment if he is found guilty.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on January 22, 2010 4:55 PM

Comments [rss]

WrecklessAbandon

Pepper spray. If it's not windy, it can help even the odds.

Karen

Another hate crime...a lesbian in Buffalo was stabbed in the eye on New Years Eve. A 21 year old woman was arrested.

nik13

So a single guy beat up THREE cabaret performers? Snort-inducing.

learnedhand

So the terror trials, which would best be held in a military court, get held in a federal court in NYC, but an off duty, civilian clothed Air Force service member who commits a hate crime on a NYC street outside of a bar gets to have his trial in a military court?

Billiamsburg

yeah members of the military shouldn't be allowed back on american soil. youre paid to die for the country but youre not very good at living in it.

Snoopy

Prior to going in the service and having his haircut he looked more like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdahyxsHwrg&playnext_from=PL&feature=PlayList&p=C8FD8B48EDF54C4F&playnext=1&index=23

buttface

NYPD pays people to live in London? What could they possibly be doing there? Must be a sweet, sweet gig.

jaycjay

NYPD has people stationed in London, Tel Aviv, Paris, Singapore... and plenty of other places around the world. Generally their duties involve anti-terror intelligence but they're also available then when something like this comes up.

Sommelier

Let the military try him? He was off duty, not in uniform, not on a military base, and assaulted three civilians. He should be arrested by the NYPD and tried in Manhattan Criminal Court.

ennuipoet

The Uniform Code of Military Justice applies to and allows for military prosecution of members regardless of where the crime occurred. In this case, if prosecuted, the asshat would face a worse punishment than misdemeanor conviction from New York State. (Which is probably what it would plea out as.) He could, conceivably, face a year in prison, reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge. You can't get a job working as the fry boy at McDonalds with dishonorable discharge. So, in this instance, the punishment would be worse than criminal charges by the State.

Daveon8th

Hey Jen. Read that last sentence....you left us hanging. Will they or Won't they?

"While Ford has yet to be formally charged, officials say that the U.S. military try him and serve up the appropriate punishment if he is found guilty."