Pasadena cyclist charged with kicking 13-year-old in jaw

Pasadena Star-News: Pasadena cyclist charged with kicking 13-year-old in jaw

Posted: 09/24/2009 12:09:53 PM PDT

PASADENA - A cyclist at the Rose Bowl has been charged with two misdemeanor assault charges after allegedly kicking a 13-year-old in the jaw.
The incident happened last week after the cyclist, 24-year-old Alhambra resident Paul Teal, collided with the boy while Teal was circling the Rose Bowl on his bike. The boy was walking around the bowl with his mother, police said.

Teal was upset at the boy, believing him to be responsible for the accident, according to Connie Orozco, the city’s Chief Prosecutor.

He asked the 13-year-old if he was alright, then swore at him and kicked him in the jaw while the boy was still down on the ground from the collision, authorities said. He then biked off.

Police apprehended Teal shortly after by his car as he was preparing to leave the area, said Lt. Rodney Wallace of the Pasadena Police Department.

"He made a comment to officers indicating that he had been pretty angry about the incident," said Wallace.

Teal will be tried for a misdemeanor- the city does not have the power to charge him with a felony. The county’s District Attorney office, which has jurisdiction for a felony, has so far declined to charge him, said Orozco.

A prosecutor in the office who was at the Rose Bowl happened to witness the incident by chance, added Orozco, and was asked to advise the District Attorney’s office on whether to file charges or not.

If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, Teal could face up to two years in county jail.