Ludwig Kaiser (El Grande Americano) Battery Arrest in Florida Update – Legal Filing Reveals Kaiser’s Side of Battery Incident

As noted before, WWE and AAA talent Ludwig Kaiser, also known as El Grande Americano and real name Marcel Barthel, was arrested on charges of battery this past May following an altercation with a man in Orange County, Florida. This incident was caused after Kaiser and a female were allegedly acting “uncontrollably intimate” in an elevator and Kaiser attacked the man in retaliation after being allegedly told to “please have some manners.” Rumors of Kaiser attacking the man after he had made ICE comments directed at his significant other was believed to have been a planted story within WWE. The court granted this past June Kaiser’s attorneys motion to get access to the surveillance video evidence for their defense case.

The Wrestling Observer’s Joseph Currier reported that Kaiser’s attorneys filed a motion on Wednesday attempting to get the case against Kaiser dismissed.

In the filing, Kaiser’s attorneys cites Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law that allows someone to use non-deadly force in a situation where they reasonably believe it to be necessary to protect themself or another against “imminent use of unlawful force.”

In the filing, Kaiser presented his side of the battery incident stating that he and his girlfriend, WWE and AAA personality Andrea Bazarte, were hugging in the elevator which led to the alleged victim Richard Reap swearing at them while telling them to have some respect. Kaiser stated that he asked Reap what he said and claimed that Reap told him to “Have some respect before I call ICE on that bitch.”

Kaiser stated that a confrontation ensured but he did not threaten or touch Reap until Reap “aggressively” raised his hands and got close to him. Kaiser stated he then pushed Reap away but Reap twice came back in a threatening manner. Kaiser also stated that he pushed Reap but did not retaliate when Reap threw a soft drink bottle at him. Kaiser stated that the confrontation ended after that and he entered the elevator and left the area with his girlfriend.

Portion of Kaiser’s motion filing:

The elevator stopped at the 12th floor where Mr. Reap exited, and as he exited Mr. Reap made loud comments to Mr. Barthel and his girlfriend to the effect of, ‘Have some f***ing respect.’ Apparently, Mr. Reap was offended by Mr. Barthel and his girlfriend hugging while in the elevator. Mr. Barthel leaned out of the elevator to ask Mr. Reap what he said as he was confused by the statement. Mr. Reap then made a statement to the effect of, ‘Have some respect before I call ICE on that bitch’ Mr. Barthel’s girlfriend is of Mexican descent.

Mr. Barthel exited the elevator and confronted Mr. Reap verbally telling him his statements were offensive and inappropriate. Mr. Barthel did not threaten or touch Mr. Reap at that point. Mr. Reap then came toward Mr. Barthel aggressively raising his hands and getting very close to him. Mr. Barthel, in fear that Mr. Reap was going to batter him, pushed Mr. Reap away.

Mr. Barthel walked back into the elevator, where his girlfriend was standing. Mr. Reap then approached the elevator in a threatening manner. Mr. Barthel stepped out of the elevator and told Mr. Reap to leave them alone. Mr. Reap walked away briefly and came back toward the elevator again in a threatening manner. Mr. Barthel was concerned that Mr. Reap would physically attack him or his girlfriend, so he pushed him away, and returned to the elevator.

Mr. Reap then threw a soft drink bottle at Mr. Barthel. Mr. Barthel did not retaliate. Rather, he remained in the elevator, pushed the button for his floor and left the area.

In this altercation, Mr. Barthel pushed Mr. Reap only after Mr. Reap had approached Mr. Barthel aggressively and threatened him. Mr. Barthel pushed Mr. Reap to stop his continuing approach and attack. Mr. Barthel then entered the elevator where his girlfriend remained and left the area.

In the filing, Kaiser’s attorney’s claim that Kaiser was justified in using non-deadly force to protect himself and his girlfriend. Kaiser’s attorneys are also asking the court that Kaiser be granted immunity from further criminal prosecution in the case.

A pre-trial conference for Kaiser’s legal case is currently scheduled to take place on July 16. Kaiser is currently facing a misdemeanor charge of battery.