I hope Kasey Kahne avoids jail

[Gary J]

Kahne has a court date early january for allegedly injuring a elderly security guard at Homestead AND 4 policemen ''saw"!! it happen are taking the guards side !

[Winger]

What a bunch of crap. Not sticking up for Casey if this story isn't blown out of proportion but the guard is suing him. He claims he hasn't been able to return to work because of his injuries. He was treated at the speedway's medical facility for minor bruises and abrasions. The guards lawyer said his client has suffered emotionally from the incident and is "getting killed" by NASCAR fans on Web site blogs. This guy is only seeing dollar signs. What in heck is he doing working as a security guard if a few minor bruises and abrasions are capable of disabling him. Heck, I get minor bruises and abrasions when I get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Getting more of them lately too. I bet he is getting killed on web site blogs but, IMO, he deserves to.

[Todd McCreary]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor...-lawsuit_N.htm

misdemeanor battery with no priors, extenuating circumstances, all kinds of character witnesses and, most importantly, big money lawyers isn't going to get any jail time at all. even if he gets convicted.

i figure he'll probably cut a deal with the guard to go away for 100 grand or so and it'll never go to trial anyway. which is probably what the 'guard' is figuring as well.

seriously, if he doesn't know who Kasey is by sight i'm not sure what he's doing working a NASCAR race.

[BJ Cavin]

The problem was not with Kasey but with his brother, who didn't have the proper documentation with him. As for what happened, I have my b doubts that it was as severe as it was reported, but what constitutes "assault" varies from jurisdiction to jutisdiction. Where I used to live in SC an assault could be committed by doing no more than physically touching someone. A punch or push then was considered "aggravated" and carried stronger penalties. Where I live now you have to at least push or grab someone to commit an assault. As for the guard, yeah, he's getting blasted on message boards and such, and I can see why.

[Stgbean54]

Here's my take on this, they have one race at Homestead each year and if this Security Officer doesn't watch NASCAR races he wouldn't know who KK is. I am a Security Officer for a major transportation company. I see hundreds of different people each week. People will come in and say I was just here last month, heck I don't remember them. If they put me in charge as a Security Officer at an NBA game, the only persons I would let thru would be black 7 ft. tall men. If a white 6 ft. 6 in. guy came up I would ask for some credentials, they may be white guys that play in the NBA, I don't know I don't watch it. Did you know in this country there are more Security Officers killed than Police Officers? I may be a little testy about this because this is what I do for a living. Is there buttholes in the Security dept., heck yea, is there buttholes that get on message boards. Let's find out. Thanks for letting me vent.

[OrlandoGraphix]

I know in Orange County.. simply violating someone's personal space can be considered assault if you are the aggressor... and that's anything within 6" of the body...

I don't know... the report I heard was that Kahne had the proper credentials but his brother didn't... Just doesn't add up... I mean Kahne is like 85lbs soaking wet with change in his pockets... just doesn't sound right...

IMHO... it's just another example of our 'sue-happy' society doing what they do best!

And yet people blast Insurance companies for wanting to protect themselves against frivolous lawsuits... Maybe if it wasn't so easy to sue McDonalds for their Coffee being too hot... insurance companies wouldn't be so concerned... but let's face it... when you buy a bag of Planter's Peanuts and there is a warning on the side of the Bag that says "WARNING" CONTAINS NUTS"... you can't help but wonder why it is on there... then you come back to frivolous lawsuits...

I know I'm kind of getting off-topic... but you were right... If he is a trained Security Officer... and he let Kahne push him around... what was he really securing? I know the Officer's at my previous job were trained in how to subdue someone without causing bodily harm... what if it was Spencer or one of the bigger guys trying to get by him... what the hell would he have done then?

[carolwicks]

i agree with bean...

part of the reason they hire security is to protect the drivers, kayne included!
he knows that and he should have shown more respect. he is no better than anyone else who is entering a secure section.
and bean is right about the danger security guards face. they dont know who is who and in this day and age of crime, guards need to be vigilant. even if the guard did know who he is, he has a job to do! Kasey needs to be accountable for injuring someone who was hired to protect him. just my opinion for what its worth. if it was tony or one of the other drivers who dont have the lily white rep Kasey has, they would be in a world of trouble...and rightfully so!
carolwicks

[Gary J]

Read Nascar.com report

I just reread it ,says Kale Kahne had his credentials but Kasey did'nt because he just got out of the racecar.I know he will not get jail but judge could mess up his life by giving him probation. Carol what do you think about Debra Lefevre?

[Todd McCreary]

what if it was Spencer or one of the bigger guys trying to get by him... what the hell would he have done then?

the "security guard" would have done a 'drop and roll' ( incidentally with a broken face ) to clear a lane for the bystanding cops to shoot him down.

[KlausGraf]

Kahne has a court date early january for allegedly injuring a elderly security guard at Homestead AND 4 policemen ''saw"!! it happen are taking the guards side !

i heard about this and now he's in trouble. It will get resolved somway. Hes got more money then me and it will go away with settlement

[flvideo]

Just ran accross this. Bob........


Hearing slated for Kahne after Homestead incident
By Raygan Swan, NASCAR.COM
December 19, 2007
06:07 PM EST

type size: + -NASCAR's typically meek and mild mannered star Kasey Kahne is facing civil and criminal charges in a Miami court on Jan. 8 for an altercation involving a track security guard who says the driver shoved him to the ground causing the 62-year-old major back injuries.

The maximum sentence for misdemeanor battery is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Archibald Hutchinson is seeking in excess of $15,000 for medical bills, punitive damages and lost wages, according to a civil suit filed on Tuesday.

Hutchinson's attorney, Russell Dohan, said his client has not been back to work since the incident took place on Nov. 16 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"He has a tear in his lumbar spine and is now seeking treatment from an orthopedic surgeon," Dohan said from his office in Miami.

Sources close to Kahne's camp say the actions are completely out of character for the driver whose on and off track confrontations rarely escalate farther than name calling.

Rick Russell, president of Kahne's team at Gillett Evernham Motorsports, said the organization is standing behind its driver and issued a statement after the civil suit was filed.

"Gillett Evernham Motorsports is a close family and Kasey Kahne is an integral part of our organization. The alleged action in this case is not consistent with the Kasey Kahne we know. It is unfortunate the issue has progressed to this point. We support our driver, Kasey Kahne, and have complete confidence in the legal process."

According to police, the altercation ensued over credentials. Kahne, in his driver's uniform riding on a golf cart en route to his motorhome, failed to produce proper identification to enter the restricted lot.

On the day of the incident, Dohan said his client was allowing various NASCAR drivers through the gate leading to the driver motorhome lot without showing their credentials or proper identification.

But then, Hutchinson's boss came down on the elderly guard and threatened to fire him if he did not perform his duties accurately, Dohan added.

Shortly thereafter, Kahne, without proper credentials or identification, tried to proceed to his motorhome on his golf cart when he was stopped by Hutchinson.

Kahne was blocked by the guard so the driver, still in his racing suit, tried to go around the guard on foot. When Kahne was asked for his credentials, he became agitated and told Hutchinson that he was a driver and didn't need a credential.

The guard blocked him again, and Kahne pushed Hutchinson to the ground, according to a report from the Homestead Police Department.

Kahne was then taken into custody, but released on the condition he would later appear for his criminal hearing.

Four witnesses, all law enforcement officers, gave statements that supported Hutchinson and accused Kahne of shoving the guard.

Kahne's brother, Kale Kahne, was present during the incident and gave a different account of what took place when interviewed by police.

"Kasey and I left the Busch garage heading to the motorhome lot. We got stopped at the gate and the guards said that we need our credentials so I started to get mine out and Kasey didn't have one because he just got out of the race car. He was still in his drivers' suit," Kale Kahne said.

"They said they don't care who you are you can't come in. Kasey said I'm going to walk to my motorhome [and] one guard [Hutchinson] got in front of him and grabbed him and said that you're not going anywhere and Kasey pushed his hands off of him and the guard lost his balance and fell to the ground."

Dohan disagreed and said Kahne essentially bullied his way through the guard.

"He shoved [Hutchinson] twice; he fell the second time, and landed right on his back. Four uniformed police officers saw the whole thing and immediately grabbed [Kahne]," Dohan added.

When asked if his client's lawsuit was frivolous, Dohan said no and that he and Hutchinson even waited to see how severe the injuries were before filing the lawsuit.

"Everyone is saying that, but people really don't know the facts. He was taken to the infield medical facility and then transported to the Homestead hospital. ... This incident has left Mr. Hutchinson injured not only physically, but emotionally as well. He is under medical care for his injuries and cannot return to work," Dohan said.

Dohan added that Kahne believed his "celebrity status makes him immune to the rules the rest of us have to adhere to ... he didn't show any remorse afterwards and didn't apologize."

[Benny The Mule]

Gee, i've been pushed down (and worst) so many times i can't count. I'm not emotionally injured. He sees $$$$$$$$$$! But needs the state charges to go through (regardless of how minor) so he can get PAID in the civil suit.

I think i'll apply as a motorhome gate guard for next years events........i'll let em all push me down for CASH!!!!!!!!!!!CHA-CHING!

[ocalasp76]

Oj Reminder

Hey Benny, OJ Simpson was not convicted but still got sewed by the family in a civil suit and lost. So maybe he still has a chance to CHA-CHING.
It ain't right though.
-----JIM-----

[john tenney]

What about this is NOT a frivolous lawsuit?

Many of you have been in the pits at NASCAR events and you know as well as I do, that while there are some nice people in security, most of them act like little nazis.

Kasey is recognizable - he should not have been stopped.

[Trash Inturn4]

recognizable?...we are talking Kasey Kane here, for people that may not follow nascar he probably wouldn't be one of your more recognizable drivers.