The co-founder of Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt was recently arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on an outstanding warrant alleging he beat a homeless man last June, ABC News reports.
Young Lee now faces a Los Angeles assault charge after allegedly chasing down a man who approached his car and asked for money. Police allege that Lee and another man chased the homeless beggar down and beat him with a tire iron, causing the man to be hospitalized.
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Vincent Howard recognizes that assault charges don't usually make the news, but when a celebrity is involved, they get propelled to the top of the newscast and to the front page. This can make defending a case more difficult.
But an experienced criminal defense lawyer knows how to use the news media to the advantage of the defendant, like the police and prosecution typically do. When a story is first reported in the news, it is usually heavy on facts that are pro-police and anti-defendant.
That is a fact of life that every defendant must face. But some criminal defense attorneys, Vincent Howard has noted, choose not to address the news media when approached for interviews. In some cases, providing interviews can be beneficial to the client. It depends on the circumstances.
In this case, Lee, the co-founder of the low-calorie dessert chain, faces a felony charge after being arrested at the airport. Officers from the LAPD Fugitive Warrants Task Force made the arrest and bail was set at $60,000.
The business started in 2005 in Los Angeles and now has become a worldwide chain, based on its popularity and it being featured in television shows. Lee is a former kick boxer and bouncer from Korea, where his founding partner is also from.
Police say witnesses reported the incident to police, including the license plate of the vehicle that was rented in his name. Police said they seized the tire iron from the vehicle and witnesses were able to pick him out of a police photo display, leading to the active warrant.
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Vincent Howard knows how much police rely on witness statements and accounts to make arrests, especially in cases where they are searching for a suspect. He also recognizes that witnesses are inherently unreliable in their identification of suspects.
People simply don't regularly get a good look at a person committing a crime, even if they think they do. Things happen quickly, they may be nervous or in fear of their own safety and perhaps they put pressure on themselves to tell police what they want because they want their community to be safe.
All of these are factors that lead to misidentification. This is one of the leading causes of overturned convictions in this country. Yet police feel they have no choice but to trust in these lay witnesses. A defendant shouldn't become a convict if there is shaky eyewitness testimony. Police must have stronger evidence.
If you or a loved one would like to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles or in any of the surrounding areas, contact HOWARD LAW PC for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-872-5925.
Additional Resources:
Pinkberry Founder Young Lee Arrested on Assault, by Colleen Curry, ABC News
