Attorney for Blackhawks' Kane denies any crime
Blackhawks star Patrick Kane began his defense Monday against allegations he beat and robbed a cabdriver in Buffalo, N.Y., by hiring one of that city's most prominent lawyers.
Attorney Paul J. Cambria Jr. said Kane would ultimately be exonerated of all charges once all the evidence comes out.
"He hasn't committed a crime, and I think the evidence is going to demonstrate that," Cambria said. "Obviously he's upset that he would be accused of something like this."
Meanwhile, the attorney for taxi driver Jan Radecki, who is accusing Kane and his cousin of beating and robbing him early Sunday morning, raised eyebrows Monday when he said the incident has been blown out of proportion.
Attorney Andrew C. LoTempio, speaking on WGN 720-AM on Monday, said he didn't believe Kane or his cousin would face felony charges from the incident with Radecki and that he thought the two sides would be able to work things out.
"It's pretty much been blown out of proportion," LoTempio told WGN. "It's a dispute over the cab fee, and unfortunately Mr. Radecki didn't recognize Mr. Kane and just thought they were a couple of college kids.
"Some of the cabdrivers here have a policy of not unlocking the doors until they get paid because they get beat on their fees by the college kids and that just kind of blew up."
Buffalo police alleged Kane, 20, and his cousin, James Kane, 21, punched Radecki and took back money they had given him after the driver told them he didn't have 20 cents in coins to give them change, according to the police report.
The Kanes were charged with second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, and fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft of services, both Class A misdemeanors.
LoTempio told WGN he thought the charges would "absolutely not" be felonies, calling it a "regular kid incident." LoTempio then said, "I think we should be able to work things out" with Kane.
An attempt by the Daily Herald to reach LoTempio on Monday by telephone and e-mail was unsuccessful.
The Kanes will appear in Buffalo City Court on Monday for a felony hearing. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
By LoTempio saying Radecki had locked the doors to the taxi before the Kanes had paid the fare, it raises significant questions about whether the Hawks' star and his cousin felt threatened.
"You hit on one of the issues: Can you be imprisoned in a cab," Cambria told WEDG radio in Buffalo. "That will be one of the things that will be of great significance in this case, if there was unlawful restraint."
Patrick Kane has yet to make a public comment about what happened.
As of Monday, Kane still was scheduled to take part in USA Hockey's three-day Olympic orientation camp that starts Monday at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge.
The camp has the potential to turn into a media circus should Kane attend. Kane is expected to be one of the key players on the U.S. team for the 2010 Olympics that will take place in Vancouver in February.
There were no further comments from the Hawks on Monday. Hawks spokesman Brandon Faber said Sunday the team was standing behind Kane and would have nothing more to say until all the facts were gathered.