CHICAGO – The NHL has finally snagged a glitter of the criminal spotlight normally dominated by the NFL. 
Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane joined NFL stars Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress on that stage after his recent involvement concerning an incident that occurred on August 9.
This afternoon, an Erie County grand jury indicted Kane and his cousin on misdemeanor harassment and theft charges while passing on the opportunity of the felony charges.
Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said in a statement: “Patrick Kane will not be prosecuted more leniently or more harshly because he is employed as a hockey player.” The charges come following testimony from “all known witnesses, including a witness suggested by defense counsel,” according to the statement.
Kane, 20-years-old, was arrested after an altercation in Buffalo on August 9th that left he and his cousin James Kane accused of assaulting 62-year-old cab driver, Jan Radecki, after a disagreement over 20 cents.
That’s right; a conflict over 20 U.S. pennies .13 Euro or 2.58 Pesos, depending where you’re from, between a multi-million dollar pro athlete and a retirement-aged cabbie.
Kane who is listed to have earned $3.75 million last season is accused of assaulting Radecki after the cabbie told the player he did not have 20 cents change for the fare. Radecki told the Chicago Tribune ” [the Kanes] broke my glasses, they ripped my clothes … all over 20 cents.”
According to a police report, the incident occurred at around 5 a.m. when the Kanes had given the driver $15 for a fare of $13.80. The driver gave them back a dollar, but not the remaining 20 cents. James Kane then allegedly tore the money from Radecki’s hand and began punching him, the report said. The driver told the Chicago Tribune on Sunday that Patrick Kane also “kept pounding and pounding on me.”
According to witnesses, the assault left the cabbie with bruises and a pair of broken glasses.
After reviewing the incident, police arrested both Kanes with second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, as well as fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft of services, both Class A misdemeanors.
Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax