06/10/2011 // WPB, FL, USA // Personal Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley

Houston, TX — A West Point cadet has filed a lawsuit as a result of being beaten by up singer Patti Labelle’s security at the Houston International Airport on March 11. The lawsuit also alleges police misconduct following the attack, reported Fox News.

According to the attorneys for the plaintiff, Richard King, 23, was on the phone with his brother while waiting to be picked up at the Busch International Airport and was attacked for unknowingly standing next to Labelle’s luggage and limo. Labelle’s security shoved and punched King, while a third person, a woman, shoved him back 12 to 15 feet and slammed his head into a concrete pillar, which left him with a serious concussion and bleeding from his nose and mouth.

The attackers then allegedly “taunted and kicked” him. The attack was caught on videotape.

The lawsuit asserts that Labelle “lowered the window of her limousine and gave a command to her bodyguards,” prompting them to attack King.

When police arrived, they only took statements from the attackers and a taxi dispatcher who appeared to be a Pattie Labelle fan in the video, due to the fact he posed with the singer for a picture, claims King’s attorney.

“Police there during the workup posed for a picture with Patti, standing over the blood of Richard King,” the plaintiff’s attorney said to Fox News. “The police at the scene also prepared a report that is absolutely false and then called West Point, using statements provided Richard’s attackers. Due to his injuries, King has no memory of the event. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance, [where he was given] four staples in his head. Headaches and dizziness continue.”

“We are reviewing to determine what happened at the scene, and this includes whether the officers acted appropriately,” said Officer Jodi Silva said to Fox News, adding that no one was charged in the incident because King was unable to provide a statement at the time, and limousine driver Zuri Edwards refused to press charges, according to the Fox News report.

King is no longer a West Point cadet as a result of the incident. Due to privacy regulations, they would not say if he was dismissed or left as a result of the altercation.

Labelle’s security claims King was intoxicated and tried to get into her limo. They also claim he threw the first punch. But, King claims he had no idea who Labelle was until after he was attacked.

King is seeking to bring criminal charges against his attackers. The lawsuit was filed to hold Labelle responsible as well.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Texas personal injury lawyers.

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