Ludwig Kaiser's Side Of His Arrest Story Finally Emerges (WWE News)
New details give Ludwig Kaiser's side of the story following May arrest.
With WWE's Ludwig Kaiser arrested for battery back in May, the real-life Marcel Barthel has now given his side of the story surrounding this arrest.
For those who may have missed it, this arrest took place on May 20th, with a male later identified as Richard Reap alleging that he was battered by Barthel on April 23rd in the Orlando apartment complex they both live in. Per Reap, he was in the elevator with Barthel and his girlfriend, AAA interviewer Andrea Bazarte, and the two were acting in an "uncontrollably intimate" manner and "aggressively kissing". When he exited the elevator and told the couple to "please have some manners", Reap was allegedly pushed to the ground by Barthel and punched several times.
Upon learning of there being a warrant out for his arrest, Marcel Barthel immediately flew back from Mexico to Orlando and handed himself in before being shortly bonded out of Orange County Correction on a $1,000 bail.
On the other side of this, Raj Giri noted on X that he'd heard a different story to this situation, and that Barthel and Bazarte were affectionate "but nothing crazy or out of the ordinary". Also, Richard Reap allegedly shouted something along the lines of, "You need to show some f**king respect before I call ICE on that b**ch" after he left the elevator.
In the latest development, a new legal finding has given Marcel Barthel's side of this story, with a motion filed in an attempt to get the battery case against the 35-year-old dismissed. That motion cites Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law that allows somebody to use non-deadly force when they feel they're in a situation where they need to protect themselves or someone else from "imminent use of unlawful force".
Barthel claims that he and Andrea Bazarte were hugging in the elevator, which led to Richard Reap swearing at them and telling them to have some respect. Marcel asked Reap what he said, to which the alleged response was, "Have some respect before I call ICE on that b**ch." That led to a confrontation between Barthel and Reap, but Barthel says he didn't threaten or touch Reap until Reap raised his hands "aggressively" and got close to him. From there, Barthel says he then pushed Reap away, but Reap came back twice in a threatening manner, leading to Barthel again pushing him away. Reap then allegedly threw a soft drink bottle at Barthel, who did not retaliate, and the confrontation ended there.
Via f4wonline, the relevant text of this latest filing can be found below:
- 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.
Marcel Barthel is looking to be granted immunity from further criminal prosecution, with his team arguing that he was justified in using non-deadly force to protect himself and Andrea in this instance.