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Ludwig Kaiser has offered his first detailed account of the incident that led to his battery charge in Florida.
Ahead of a scheduled pre-trial hearing on July 16, the WWE star’s legal team filed a motion seeking dismissal of the case, presenting a version of events that sharply differs from the original allegations.
The filing argues that Kaiser acted only after believing both he and his girlfriend were in immediate danger, making self-defense the centerpiece of his legal strategy.
Ludwig Kaiser seeks dismissal under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law
According to the court filing (Via F4wonline), Kaiser - whose real name is Marcel Barthel - and his girlfriend, WWE and AAA broadcaster Andrea Bazarte, were hugging inside an elevator when neighbor Richard Reap allegedly became upset and shouted, “Have some f***ing respect.”
The filing states that Barthel leaned out of the elevator to ask what Reap had said. At that point, Reap allegedly responded, “Have some respect before I call ICE on that bitch,” referring to Bazarte, who is of Mexican descent.
According to the defense, Barthel exited the elevator to tell Reap that his remarks were offensive and inappropriate but did not threaten or touch him. The filing claims Reap then aggressively approached Barthel with his hands raised, prompting Barthel to push him away because he feared an imminent attack.
The motion further alleges that after Barthel returned to the elevator, Reap twice approached in what the defense describes as a threatening manner. Barthel says he pushed Reap away each time to protect himself and Bazarte. The filing also states that Reap threw a soft drink bottle at Barthel, who “did not retaliate” and instead remained in the elevator before leaving the area.
Citing Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, the defense argues that Barthel used only non-deadly force that he reasonably believed was necessary to protect himself and another person. The motion asks the court to dismiss the misdemeanor battery charge and grant him immunity from further criminal prosecution.
The case remains ongoing. Kaiser has been allowed to travel while the legal process continues, and surveillance footage obtained by the defense could play a significant role in determining how the matter is resolved. Until the final bell rings in court, both sides’ accounts remain part of an active legal dispute.
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The post WWE’s Ludwig Kaiser Shares His Version of Battery Incident In New Court Filing appeared first on Wrestlezone.
