Cayman Islands Speaker of the House and West Bay West MLA Hon. McKeeva Bush pleads not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of simple battery, according to his attorney Mr. Keith Seltzer.
In a statement to the media Seltzer stated that “I believe from my brief review of evidence at this point that Mr. Bush was mistakenly arrested by a police officer,” He further stated, “The facts will bear out that Mr. Bush committed no crime, did nothing wrong whatsoever in a criminally aggressive or sexually aggressive manner.”
Mr. Bush was arrested on Monday 17 July at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and charged with battery and released on US $1,000 cash bond on Tuesday. He is accused of having grabbed the buttocks of a female casino employee and was arrested by the Seminole Police Department after they reviewed CCTV footage.
“He did not do anything that constitutes criminal conduct,” Mr. Seltzer said, saying cultural differences may have led to Mr. Bush’s arrest as well. “It’s a misunderstanding and misinterpretation… from someone that comes from the Cayman Islands with a West Indian background.”
The State Attorney’s Office has 30 days from the date of an arrest to decide whether it will pursue prosecution, according to the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Mr. Seltzer filed a Notice of Intent to Participate in Discovery with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court for Broward County, court records show. That means the state must provide him all the evidence they have, including the police report and CCTV footage.
Mr. Bush has no travel restrictions and is anticipated to return to Grand Cayman Monday. according to CMR sources.
Miami Herald posted the story online: http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/jose-lambiet/article162672133.html
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