“Officer: ‘Old man beat, defamed me’”
Dear Editor,
The publisher of this paper, George Capsis, didn’t make the front page of the Daily News. In fact, many readers may have missed the boxed article about him in the Saturday, November 23rd issue of the tabloid. Yet there he is, on top of page 24, photo and all, shaking his fist at our impervious local officials.
The reporter, John Marzulli, seems to be amused that Officer Juan Perez is countersuing George Capsis. The cop claims he was “battered” by our 86-year-old publisher. Mr. Capsis, in turn, is reported as saying that the idea he beat up the cop is laughable. “I’m no Charles Atlas, and I don’t work out.” Councilman Arthur Schwarz, the attorney defending Mr. Capsis, said, “I think Perez’s lawsuit is a public disgrace.”
I saw Mr. Capsis days after the incident, and he still had a terrible black eye. My understanding was his nose was broken in addition to his glasses. It was shocking. Now this same cop is making a greater fool of himself—no doubt because he is too ashamed to admit that it is never appropriate to haul off and punch an unarmed old man in the street.
True, George Capsis is in no way typical of his age group—what’s left of his age group! However, that certainly doesn’t excuse Perez’s arrogant, abusive behavior. He picked on the wrong old man this time, that’s all there is to it.
Janet Capron
