BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was indicted Wednesday on misdemeanor assault and theft charges after he was accused of beating up a cab driver over a fare dispute.
The grand jury dismissed a more serious felony charge of second-degree robbery, Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III said.
Kane and his cousin, James Kane, 21, were arrested Aug. 9 after 62-year-old cabbie Jan Radecki told police they attacked him when he said he didn’t have 20 cents in change for the fare. James Kane was indicted on the same charges.
The cab driver had bruises and broken glasses.
At a U.S. Olympic hockey camp in suburban Chicago, Kane said he had not heard any details about the indictment and wanted to talk first with his lawyer.
“If the felony is dropped, that’s obviously a positive step,” Kane said. “The sooner it gets over, I think, the more everyone will be happy about it.”
earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges. They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon. They were indicted on charges of third-degree assault and theft of services, both misdemeanors, as well as harassment, a violation.
Patrick Kane’s lawyer, Paul Cambria, was not immediately available for comment.
“As is the practice in all criminal cases, the assigned prosecutor and defense counsel will discuss a possible resolution of the case short of trial,” Sedita said in a statement. A plea deal, he added, would be based in part on the victim’s wishes and the severity of his injuries.
Kane, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft and the rookie of the year in 2008, had 25 goals and 45 assists last season, and his team has built a marketing campaign around him. He helped the Blackhawks advance to the Western Conference finals last season.
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Associated Press Sports Writer Rick Gano contributed reporting from Chicago.
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