Jeanette X
Jun 2nd, 2003, 03:53 PM
Source:http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/132865
Tape may hold evidence in Kent thong rampage
2003-05-29
by Bruce Rommel
Journal Reporter
KENT -- Police hope to restore a damaged videotape showing a teenager clad only in a golden thong inline skating near Riverbend Golf course moments before another teenager videotaping the stunt was assaulted by a golfer.
The golfer also smashed the video camera with a No. 9 iron, damaging the cassette, the two teenage boys said.
The cassette is being examined by video experts to see if it can be restored for viewing so police can get a better idea of what happened, Kent police Officer Paul Petersen said Wednesday.
The golfer accused of assaulting the teen and destroying the video camera Tuesday evening was contacted later by a Kent officer. The man was questioned and released, Petersen said.
Police are continuing their investigation before deciding if criminal citations should be issued, Petersen said.
The teens, seniors at Highline High School, were making a video for a class project about steroids. It was to include a spoof showing A.J. Roulston skating nearly naked, wearing only the thong.
``It was all just a big prank,'' Roulston said Wednesday.
His classmate, Chris Machowski, was skating along side with his video camera. He suffered bruises and other minor injuries in the encounter.
Machowski told police the golfer shoved him to the ground, grabbed his throat and hit his foot with a golf club.
After Machowski dropped his video camera, the golfer hit it with the 9-iron, say both teens.
``He took a swing and it pretty much exploded,'' Machowski said of his camera.
Machowski said he wants the golfer to pay for the video camera, which cost about $500.
The teens said they were videotaping on the trail near the golf course when the golfer began yelling homophobic insults and calling them derogatory names.
According to the teens, the golfer also said because they were gay they would spend their lives serving burgers and fries at McDonald's.
Both teens, who aren't gay, say they probably provoked the man by laughing and by asking him if he was homophobic and if he ``had a problem'' with gay people. They said they didn't call him any vulgar names, but he continued hurling insults and making lewd sexual comments aimed at them.
``It's all on the tape,'' Machowski said.
While police might be able to view those actions if the video cassette can be restored, there's no video of most of the assault. Machowski said he dropped the video camera when the golfer shoved him to the ground.
Machowski said his left hand was bruised and sore after the fall. A doctor checked the hand, told him to wear a splint for seven to 10 days and to return if the pain persisted or worsened, he said.
Tape may hold evidence in Kent thong rampage
2003-05-29
by Bruce Rommel
Journal Reporter
KENT -- Police hope to restore a damaged videotape showing a teenager clad only in a golden thong inline skating near Riverbend Golf course moments before another teenager videotaping the stunt was assaulted by a golfer.
The golfer also smashed the video camera with a No. 9 iron, damaging the cassette, the two teenage boys said.
The cassette is being examined by video experts to see if it can be restored for viewing so police can get a better idea of what happened, Kent police Officer Paul Petersen said Wednesday.
The golfer accused of assaulting the teen and destroying the video camera Tuesday evening was contacted later by a Kent officer. The man was questioned and released, Petersen said.
Police are continuing their investigation before deciding if criminal citations should be issued, Petersen said.
The teens, seniors at Highline High School, were making a video for a class project about steroids. It was to include a spoof showing A.J. Roulston skating nearly naked, wearing only the thong.
``It was all just a big prank,'' Roulston said Wednesday.
His classmate, Chris Machowski, was skating along side with his video camera. He suffered bruises and other minor injuries in the encounter.
Machowski told police the golfer shoved him to the ground, grabbed his throat and hit his foot with a golf club.
After Machowski dropped his video camera, the golfer hit it with the 9-iron, say both teens.
``He took a swing and it pretty much exploded,'' Machowski said of his camera.
Machowski said he wants the golfer to pay for the video camera, which cost about $500.
The teens said they were videotaping on the trail near the golf course when the golfer began yelling homophobic insults and calling them derogatory names.
According to the teens, the golfer also said because they were gay they would spend their lives serving burgers and fries at McDonald's.
Both teens, who aren't gay, say they probably provoked the man by laughing and by asking him if he was homophobic and if he ``had a problem'' with gay people. They said they didn't call him any vulgar names, but he continued hurling insults and making lewd sexual comments aimed at them.
``It's all on the tape,'' Machowski said.
While police might be able to view those actions if the video cassette can be restored, there's no video of most of the assault. Machowski said he dropped the video camera when the golfer shoved him to the ground.
Machowski said his left hand was bruised and sore after the fall. A doctor checked the hand, told him to wear a splint for seven to 10 days and to return if the pain persisted or worsened, he said.