Singer Patti LaBelle and her bodyguards are at the center of a battle of sorts as a West Point Academy cadet’s attorney wants charges against the singer and bodyguards whom he alleges beat up his client at the Houston Airport.
Richard King, from Houston says he was at the airport awaiting family, when he says LaBelle’s bodyguards attacked him. In contrast the bodyguards say that King was the one doing the attacking.
The extra conflict is that cops say that King did smell like alcohol when they arrested him. However, video surveillance released has King’s lawyer with enough evidence to present his side of the story. The bodyguards said that King tried to get into their limousine which is corroborated by the limo driver who refused to press charges.
In addition, the cops say they couldn’t get an internal investigation into the situation of the officers because two of the cops were recorded on surveillance video having their pictures taken with LaBelle right after the incident occurred.
Someone realizing that King was a football player from West Point, they called the military academy to inform them that one of their students was drunk and fighting thus getting King suspended.
Now, if King wants to finish college he’ll have to serve 18 months in deployment with the Army before he can re-apply to get his degree.
The videotape reportedly exonerates King and that has some officers coming forward in support.
This story is important because it opens a look into what West Point cadets are responsible for and what can happen. Also, the word of two opposing sides looks like it is going to be the deciding factor in this case.
Update: Richard King has left West Point.
