WWE wrestler Ludwig Kaiser (real name Marcel Barthel) was arrested in Orange County, FL yesterday and charged with battery that stemmed from an incident on April 24. Now more details on what led to the arrest have been made public.
According to court records, the incident took place at an Orlando apartment complex where both Kaiser and the alleged victim reside. The male, identified as Richard Reap, claims that Kaiser attacked and assaulted him just outside an elevator after he had asked Kaiser and an unidentified female to "please have some manners" after they were acting "uncontrollably intimate" inside the elevator by aggressively kissing.
The affidavit reads:
[The victim] stated he was battered by an unknown white male just outside the elevator on the 12th floor. [The victim] advised that at approximately 1830 hours, he entered the elevator and was followed by an unknown white male and an unknown white female. [The victim] stated that as the elevator ascended, the male and female began acting in an ‘uncontrollably intimate’ manner, which he described as aggressively kissing.
[The victim] stated that once the elevator reached the 12th floor, he exited the elevator and told the couple to ‘please have some manners.’ [The victim] advised that immediately after making the statement, the unknown male began attacking him. [The victim] described the attack as the male punching him multiple times and pushing him to the ground. [The victim] further stated the male made threats of additional violence toward him.
One officer who responded to the call noted that the victim was found with a "large, fresh scratch" on his head as well as redness and irritation in the area. Footage obtained by police also showed a white male punching and pushing the victim outside the elevator. The victim was shown pictures of six individuals and immediately pointed out Kaiser as his attacker. Police then identified him as the suspect.
A warrant for his arrest was issue and Kaiser became aware of it on May 19 while in Mexico for WWE-owned AAA. He returned to Orlando the next day and turned himself in but was released on a $1,000 bond while pleading not guilty. Kaiser also filed a motion requesting that he be allowed to continue traveling both domestically and internationally while the case is before the legal system, stating the following reasons:
Mr. Barthel is an international performer who is required to travel throughout the United States and around the world to remain employed. His primary residence is the apartment complex in downtown Orlando where the alleged incident occurred.
Mr. Barthel has no prior criminal history anywhere in the world and is not a danger to others. He maintains his innocence and has retained undersigned counsel to assist him in this matter. He has every intention of appearing at all required court appearances related to these allegations.
Wherefore, for the foregoing reasons, the Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an Order allowing him to travel out of the State of Florida and internationally.
