Grand jury hears case against Hawks' Kane

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Chicago Blackhawks and winger Patrick Kane will have to wait until next week for a grand jury's decision on whether the 20-year-old hockey star should face criminal charges stemming from a dispute that left a local cab driver bruised and battered.

The Erie County District Attorney's Office presented the case Thursday to a grand jury in Buffalo, Kane's home town. The grand jury is expected to report its findings sometime next week, according to District Attorney Frank Sedita III.

Kane and his 21-year-oldcousin, James Kane, were arrested by Buffalo police early Sunday morning after 62-year-old cabbie Jan Radecki reported the pair beat him up after he told them he didn't have 20 cents change when they paid the fare.

The Kanes pleaded not guilty to robbery and other charges, and subsequent reports have said the driver locked the Kanes in his car and wouldn't let them out to pay the fare.

Patrick Kane's attorney also has disputed the allegations, and records show the cab driver did not have a valid license at the time.

Associated Press contributed