Lawyer For Legal Observer Hit By NYPD Scooter Calls Faking Allegations "Absurd"

Ari Douglas, the legal observer whom the NYPD claims was "not trapped" under an NYPD scooter that hit him yesterday during an Occupy Wall Street march, has been released from Bellevue Hospital and was just arraigned at Manhattan Criminal Court. The NYPD's spokesman alleges that Douglas "purposefully put his legs under the scooter and then falsely claimed he was trapped," but Douglas's attorney, Yetta Kurland, tells us that allegation is baseless. "To suggest that a trained legal observer would find it prudent to throw himself under an incoming motor vehicle is absurd," Kurland told us.

Kurland says that while she hasn't reviewed her client's medical records, he was treated with "lacerations to his entire face and injuries to his legs and feet. Luckily nothing was broken."

But what about Douglas's bloodcurdling screams heard in the video? Why would he scream like that if nothing was broken? "It's clear that he was in distress, that he was trying to get away. He had just been hit by a motorcycle." She continues, "Even if he did place his leg underneath the scooter, it does not give the police a license to pin him down and charge him with felony criminal mischief and resisting arrest. Clearly this man was not resisting arrest."

As for Douglas kicking over the scooter, Kurland characterizes it as Douglas "heroically trying to dislodge himself from the vehicle. This is speculation, but it could be that his shoelace got dislodged in the vehicle. And when you drive a scooter into a crowd of people, you can expect a shoelace to get caught or bodies to get tangled up in the machinery. The officer did not even dismount his vehicle to help him."

Kurland believes there needs to be a "very careful independent investigation on the NYPD's police tactics, to make sure they're safe for the people of New York City."

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

By Christopher Robbins in News on October 15, 2011 5:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Robert Kessler

When you assemble to demand "change", and you discover that standing with a sign and yelling that you want something doesn't get you what you want, you either go home, or you ratchet up the confrontation. Of course the OWS (owe-us) protesters have to manufacture confrontations with the police; it's the logical next step.

craig

This is so obviously fake. Next he'll show up in court in a wheelchair and full body cast.

How many jobs do frivolous lawsuits cost our country?

xXxMExXx

I LOVE this story. It not only shows the idiocy going on down there; but the clear bias among many Gothamist participants.
The Legal Observer fool ruining his credibility is icing on the cake.

Br00klynian

Let it go already.....The media is already reporting he faked it so why are some of you still hoping beyond hope that he was legit in his endeavors? Are you blind? Have you not seen teh videos?

Look closely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

edgie168

Yeah I guess he faked the blood and bruises on the left side of his face in that top picture too.

John

After running him over and beating him, the police are now going to assassinate his character. I suppose he cut himself as a way of "framing" the innocent police.

m015094

What's the penalty for faking an injury for personal gain?

Br00klynian

Do not know but since this guy is a law student he will either get denied graduation or disbarred altogether.
He deserves his comeuppance.

LICnative

Fifteen yards and loss of down?

Br00klynian

This guy is done. A poll taken on News1 basically has 69% believing he faked it while 22% say he did not and 9% are not sure.

If this goes to a jury he will surely lose.....THANK GOD!

EdwardAmame

Troll.

xXxMExXx

Truth hurts?

Mithrea

His face looks like it hurts. Yikes.

Bret Youknowwhoavich

Search for the slomo vids they pretty much tell the story.

Br00klynian

Thank God that all branches of the local and world news are reporting this for what it is...FRAUD!

EdwardAmame

Troll.

Dead Himmler

It's ironic that you are doing the same thing to yourself.

Dead Himmler

Maybe he did put his leg under the scooter but unfortunately there are always consequences to an organization or individual loosing their credibility. Credibility is lost when any organization commits blatant abuses and atrocities and then doesn't take any action to fix the damage.

xXxMExXx

I can't imagine the Legal Observer ever having credibility after that drama act. Way to ruin your career dummy.

adventureben

his left foot gets run over, he falls. the officer rolls the scooter forward and puts down the kickstand and go to do crowd control. meanwhile, other officers start beating him. the rolling forward of the scooter and the trying to get away form it got his RIGHT leg under the back wheel. so yes, a leg was stuck under a wheel while squirming, but it was the LEFT leg/ foot that was hit. either way, you shouldn't be beaten and dragged and cuffed while saying you are injured. they got a rule about that.