How did you ring in the new year?
Here's an expansion on a blotter item that SFist Rita wrote about this morning:
According to eyewitnesses, the 19-year-old son of the staggeringly wealthy local physician Eileen Aicardi spent it by gathering a mob of friends and then gaybashing an all-male singing group from Yale. When the assault was over, there were bruises, cuts, sprains, and facial reconstruction surgery requiring the wiring shut of the victim's jaw and the insertion of titanium plates. Oh, and also, the police are launching an investigation ... into why the SFPD didn't care.
The facts appear to be these: The Baker's Dozen, an all-male (but not exclusively gay) chorus from Yale was asked to perform at the house of Reno Rapagnani, a retired SFPD officer and department attorney. The host of the party, Leanna Dawydiak, told reporters that some boys started harassing the chorus after midnight. Specifically, Richard Aicardi is said to have made comments like "you're not welcome here," then called some friends and said, "I'm 20 deep, my boys are coming."
Dick Aicardi also apparently called the singers "fags," which can be a term of affection when one gay man uses it to refer to another. No definite word yet on whether Dick's is a friend of Dorothy, but we have our theories. Honestly, who says "my boys are coming"? That's totally gay! Also, it's weird that a resident of SF would say "you're not welcome here" to gentle, artistic young men. But then, the 7x7 crowd always has lived in a fantasy version of San Francisco.
So then a bunch of kids beat up the chorus -- surely, an epic and honorable battle. Five to seven assailants per singer, reports KGO, which seems totally fair. Four attackers were detained when the police showed up, but then they were let go. That also seems totally fair. No evidence was collected, not even photos of the abuse -- KGO has some photos of the aftermath that were taken by the party's hosts. The SFPD's Sergeant Gittens, whose last name rhymes with "kittens," told reporters, "you want to have a complete, thorough investigation." Yes. Yes, as a matter of fact, we do.
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What a sickening story.
It looks like yelpers are getting back at the pediatrician though (the mother of the lead basher--and apparently two of her other sons were involved too). Yay, Yelp! Let's run her out of business.
And it's great how all the reports have described the bashers as "jealous." They'll love that.
Let us not run the mother out of business. Nobody benefits from that.
'chorus' isn't entirely accurate... the baker's dozen is a college a cappella group that performs unaccompanied arrangements of songs like 'drift away.' don't ask why i'd be aware of random college a cappella groups; i just am.
(not that there's anything wrong with that)
Well, I'm sure her clientele reads citysearch instead of yelp anyway.
"Let us not run the mother out of business. Nobody benefits from that."
Echo. Seriously, punish those responsible for this deplorable crap. I understand the visceral reactions, but it's important to focus on the guilty, not the guilty by association (though if it's revealed that a middle-aged woman took part in the beatings, I'll change my mind).
Guh. Staggeringly wealthy? Case closed.
The straight-outta-Los-Gatos-I-mean-Compton plain-white-rapper-speak really frosts the cupcake, doesn't it?
If this goes to trial they'll never get a jury.
At one time or another, 99% of the population have wanted to stove in the head of an a cappella singer.
98% of the population strongly believe that rich white boys who toss around threats like "I'm 20 deep, my boys are coming" deserve nothing less than 27 kicks to the nut sack.
But seriously, what a vile bunch of pricks the Aicardi family seem to be. And WTF were the cops doing letting them go? I've been arrested on more than one occasion for the crime of being in the same bar as a bunch of drunk dickheads knocking seven bells out of each other. In the real world (not a priviledged family party with half a dozen lawyers knocking around) you get thrown in jail with all the real criminals, then you get charged with assault with a deadly weapon (you were wearing shoes, weren't you?), affray, and reckless endangerment. A couple of those are felonies and when the charges are eventually dropped you're still about eight grand in the hole for bail. But I rant. Just hang them all and let me make a video of it on my cell phone.
The ABC affiliate seems to be the only msm on this story - wonder why - this one has legs if Newsome does not get on this one fast
Not like they're all Sherlock Holmes or Lenny Briscoe out here in NY, but the SFPD really looks like a bunch of losers. Courtesy of SFist, in the past week we've seen:
1) SFPD totally dropping the ball on this brutal attack, even when one of their own is (tangentially) involved
2) Drunk driver hits a MUNI, random onlooker throws a cup of something at a cop and only gets a stern talking to, instead of silver bracelets
3) Nutjob on a MUNI a week or two ago, caught on video, and the SFPD cop asks the crowd if they would be ok with him arresting the disorderly emotionally disturbed individual.
Looks like in all three cases, these guys just have a hard time either doing work or asserting their authority. Sad.
If this isn't a candidate for Douche of the Week, I don't know what is.
What's wrong with "going after" the mother? It's just online opinions and information, for god's sake. No one is making up any information, just sharing info on what a great job of child-raising the pediatrician has done herself. It's probably the only way to "get at" the asshole son anyway.
Right, Jim, because it's the role of the citizenry to punish tertiary parties before knowing all the facts.
And all children turn out the way they do wholly because of their parents.
I don't want you to think I'm taking up for this woman in any way; I don't give a shit about her. I just think focusing on the mother is beside the point.
What is the beneficial outcome of harming the mother's business? Like many bad ideas in San Francisco, it is symbolic and impractical and not a solution.
best line from the newspaper article:
Witnesses say Richard Aicardi, 19, and dressed in a Santa hat, was the most aggressive.
bunch of fucking punk ass posers. and what kind of 19 year old loser spends his NYE at his mommy's friend's party?
even if the SFPD doesn't do their job because it's a rich family (and they won't) the Aziz's can still sue the shit out of this loser AND his mom because he is apparently severely learning disabled or a sociopath. titanium plates in that poor kid's jaw for the rest of his life. ambushed them 5 to 1. yeah, Richie's a tough guy all right.
Richie baby, come on down to the TL tonight, leave your buddies at home - someone I know wants to have a chat with you...
The North-of-Geary Force is strong, Obi-Wan.
Hopefully this delay will result in lots of charges, such as conspiracy, threats, and other add-ons to the basic assault and battery. The cellphone call obviously indicates premeditation.
The DA would really be one to press here as well.
The mother wasn't just a "Party Host" who happened to be married to a Sergeant-Inspector.
She was also spent two decades in the SFPD, which should make people wonder why she qualified her quote as "a civilian" instead of as a former Sergeant who was the cop of the year in 1986 and won the Silver Medal of Valor plus 2 Bronze Medals of Valor and once was the Chief Law Clerk for the United States Attorney's Office in San Francisco.
Does it make more sense for the suspects not be arrested because their dad was a pediatrician or because it happened after a party (with the "most aggressive" suspect under 21) at the house of two former SFPD Sergeants?
Hey there, I'm the one that ended my comment with the sarcastic side note: "Let's run her out of business." I obviously need to be careful what I say online... In my mind, it was a laugh that some snarky notes on yelp.com would do a damn thing to this woman's business.
But after seeing a few more comments sprout up on her yelp page today, I realize such a suggestion is irresponsible and hurts the integrity of such sites and the legitimate reviews that are on there, including the one dated 11/01/06 (before the bashing) from Alan B that outlines in detail how Eileen Aicardi MD failed his son as a pediatrician.
Most likely, her gay-bashing sons will ruin her business for her, whether it be from bad press and/or very expensive law suits.
unfortunately for me, I'm still working - but looks like SFist way scooped M&R:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/10/MANDR.TMP
AND they were bold enough to name the son of the "prominent Pacific Heights family," which the Chronicle seems reluctant to do at this time.
Way to go SFIST!
Ouch, I was riding home from Caltrain thinking how an Ivy Leaguer just can't trust the cops, and then a woman ran a red light and Popal-ed me at Duboce and Mission.
Sprained wrist, no arrest, but lawyers are on the way.
BTW something like 50% of Yale grads eventually become lawyers, so little Dickie really picked his fight well.
The SFPD doesn't have a complete problem asserting their "authority."
Two days ago I was searched and held by two officers because I "matched the description of a suspect." I was waiting for the bus when they pulled up and told me to take my hands out of my pockets and put them on my head. They pushed me around a little and then searched me. One then mugged me for about 10 minutes (while the other checked to see if I had any warrants out for my arrest), and tried to intimidate me, talking shit and everything. Another police car even pulled up for a couple minutes. All that because I "looked" like some description they had received......maybe just bad luck, but that pissed me off, because it was late, i was tired, and i was just waiting for the goddamn bus. And they were assholes.
They were fuckin edgy too. The one who was mugging me, I could tell he was just waiting for me to do something or say something so he could beat me down with his big ass nightstick.
All that follows should be construed as hearsay or speculation; any attempt to read it as a true version of the night's events is hereby condemned.
Cast of characters:
Dick Aicardi: 19 y/o son of prominent and wealthy local physician. At the age when he and his peers have either set off for college or are in the process of applying, but little Dick won't be going to a college anything like Yale -- some combination of low intelligence (read: reversion to the mean) low motivation (read: already has it all) and low ambitions (read: complete wigger) has left him out of the running for the Ivy leagues.
Baker's Dozen: a dozen well-mannered, very cultured, good looking young men, all with bright futures ahead of them, and most-or-all with the casual self-assurance that comes from having succeeded at a number of different, difficult things.
What Goes Down: little Dick is hanging out at this party because some of his boys are friends of a friend of someone who's bringing their kids to this little fete. Little Dick has a big chip on his shoulder because he's at the age when either everyone's asking him where he's going to school or everyone knows he's not doing anything impressive -- and certainly not on a par with what parents in the same circles as the Aicardis would anticipate; he knows the wigger game is about up and he has nothing to show for it.
The presence of the Baker's Dozen is a slap in the face of this unwise youth: here are a dozen men who can really sing, who look not only good but also comfortable in suits, and who have largely succeeded on their own merits (alumni connections may have gotten them into Yale, but it sure didn't help them sing!)...
So as the night wears on little Dick keeps trying to get their goat -- a response, any response, from the baker's dozen would help him validate his manhood against this threat -- without any luck; being ignored -- and of course the Yalies ignored him, they don't have breath to waste on a little shit like that -- is too big an insult for little Dick to handle (especially if he's been drinking).
Where things get murky is the assaults: they didn't take place at the party and so there aren't many -- if any -- eyewitnesses beyond the involved parties. It's not at all impossible that the investigative standstill arises from this impasse:
* one or more of the Yalies may have reacted in a way that'd be construable as taunting or provocation. I can imagine being a little tipsy, surrounded by 11 of my buddies, and being more than a little curt with some d-level little shit of a thug who harassed me outside of some party.
* one or more of little Dick's crew -- including little Dick himself -- may well have had a few drinks at this party. Having to deal with charges of supplying alcohol to minors is unappetizing enough of a prospect that the host may not be all that motivated to cooperate.
The lack of third-party eyewitnesses and the (in my mind highly probable) prospect that not all the Yalies behaved like perfect gentlemen once the party was over gives a defense attorney plenty to work with, as does the (again, in my mind highly probable) prospect that the defendant was illegally served alcohol prior to the fight.
The end result is just a standoff: the good guys might be able to win, but not without a lot of work and probably a somewhat expensive and lengthy legal process. As the proceedings would require lots of on-the-stand testimony from the Yalies, who currently are across the country and busy with their studies, we can expect for the time being not to hear much more about this.
The police in San Francisco are the weirdest mixture of lazy, incompetent, corrupt, and abusive. I saw something similar happen to what "cgb" went through on some homeless guy near the San Francisco Centre the other night and it was disgusting. Beating up people while a rich kid, however, just doesn't seem to count.
And congrats, Rita and Mattymatt, on a serious scoop. The stupid "Chronicle" just got around to the story this morning.
It's in AFP and on the front page of Yahoo (with few details, and no mention of gay bashing)
link
I don't think this type of thing is so uncommon in the Richmond, Sunset, or many other districts of a large urban city like SF regardless of its liberal tendencies. I doubt this is much different than many other group street fight that I have seen or at least heard about many times while living in the City. I have absolutely no respect for the individual who started this whole thing or his friends for blindly joining in for the sake of juvenile "I got your back" loyalty even if it is for such stupid issues. But, I've seen guys get beat up over someone looking at them wrong or vice versa. I think the SFPD really only arrests peole of weapons are used. Otherwise, they break up the fight and move on. I can't really help but think this has gotten this much attention mainly because these are Yale students or that the press has picked up on the "look at the USA-hating San Franciscians beating up people because they sang the stars-and-stripes".... let's face it, they got beat up because the kid was insecure and choir boys are easy targets. You got your ass kicked. Lick your wounds and move on.... you aren't special.
@ TC: One of the victims will have to wait eight weeks before he can lick his wounds, since that's how long his jaw will be wired shut after they reconstructed it with titanium plates.
But you're right, it's no big deal.
@ mattymatt: Ok, I will agree that if his jaw is truly this badly broken, charges should be filed, however, after reading his comments and the comments of others, many parts of their story don't seem very credible or at least are overblown. They said 5-7 attackers on each of the "victims" and that a van pulled up that all the attackers came out of. That's 18 singers and 90-120 attackers coming out of 1 van?
And his quote (paraphrased) "that in addition to the bruises and scrapes on his face, that his jaw is broken in two places".... why would the broken jaw be an afterthought or "add-on"... this just sounds like the father of one kid got involved and is looking to build a bigger case than what happened.... kind of like a neckbrace for the sake of trial. If an ambulence was called to the sight because this kids face was as smashed in as they claim then I will agree that the cops most certainly should have arrested them, but he flew to New York, then got diagnosed with a broken jaw. What are UCSF and Stanford third world hospitals for such a severe injury? The story seems supsect.
You got your ass kicked. Lick your wounds and move on.... you aren't special.
@TC - I really have no idea how to respond to your comments. I just wonder what happened in your life to make you think this way. Do you beat people up and get mad when they press charges? Do you get beat up a lot and tell yourself it isn't worth it to press charges?
Your lack of empathy is truly disturbing.
@ David: Sure, I've been in a fight or two growing up. Won some, lost some. If you read my second post, my "lack of empathy" comes from the fact that I don't yet buy the "savage assault beating" story (though I am the type to admit fault if better proof comes out like a picture of his jaw and not some rugburned neck). I still think it was a small fight, not an all out hate-crime that some people try to make an immediate and reactionary case for.
If it is as bad as they claim, then I think they should be charged, but it doesnt seem that way to me yet. I am more cautious to overreact than not care. But, don't mistake my comments for siding with this Rich kid. He's a loser.
And if my assumptions are true... I can't help but to stand by my earlier comment. I think the Yalies are whining.
Here are the broken jaw pics you demand:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/slideShow?section=nation_world&id=4917812&slide=1
Just looks like a bunch of guys who lost a fight. Not convinced yet on the swollen jaw.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/slideShow?section=nation_world&id=4917812&slide=1
There are more pictures here besides the aforementioned "rugburned neck."
I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area five years ago from southern California and can say one thing is very true for most of the Bay Area’s law enforcement is the practice of selective policing. I personally sadly doubt that anything will happen in this case regarding the savage beating of the Yale singers group after singing a patriotic song. From my observation, San Francisco is not a patriotic place and the simple singing of a patriotic song like "The Star-Spangled Banner" is enough to get one hospitalized or worse. Further conservative looking businessmen are frequently attacked either by gangs of rich kids or mobs that frequently result in no convictions or in some cases zero police reports recorded to track the trend. It is no surprise that these men were attacked while in San Francisco as they were out of place on several levels; singing patriotic songs, looking conservative, etc…
Civil rights in San Francisco are a joke and only protect those the police, DA and mayor’s office feel is worth it, forget about federal intervention it simply just does not happen in the 9th District court area for matters concerning the protection of white, middle-class and conservative looking men. Equal protection, equal investigation just does not happen in SF. The professionalism at all levels is lacking in many of the bay areas police departments and courtrooms.
Many Bay Area police officers make LAPD’s Rampart Division look like quire boys so it is no surprise in the case of the Star-Spangled-Banner singer’s case is getting very little attention. Simply put the bay area is more about an underground drug culture whose profits prop up the elect, anything that threatens that system appears to be harshly and swiftly dealt with, as witnessed in this case by street thugs stomping out any appearance of mainstream America from the streets of San Francisco.
As for 19-year-old Richard Aicardi “allegedly the most aggressive” (as the ABC story states) attacker in this melee of hated I can see that. Looks like a rich kid that did not make into the “Ivy League” is just trying to buildup his criminal rap-sheet to make it into the prison league. However, it’s possible this incident is nothing his mommy’s script pad will not get him out of eventually.
If Mr. Reno Rapagnani statement about Richard Aicardi saying: "He said, 'I'm 20 deep, my boys are coming.'", then young Mr. Richard Aicardi clearly and with premeditation organize a gangland style mob attack on these men that were evidently attempting to leave peacefully. This all shows the type of organized crime mafia types (from the young to the old lawyer) that lurk around the Police and Doctor’s of San Francisco.
Just overnight this story has been picked up around the country, and even more details are emerging. This comes from a Fox News article:
Arriving at the scene to someone who'd been beaten as bad as the stories and photos show, releasing the suspects could not have possibly been proper police procedure. And if it is then we're all seriously f'd.
I don't think we should dismiss what TC is saying.
Let's ask, what if his suspicions are true -- that the Yale students are whining, and sustained nothing worse than abrasions and swelling from the fight. Even in that case, haven't their assailants still broken the law? Isn't an arrest still the appropriate course of action to take?
I'm not asking sarcastically -- I really don't know what standard police procedure is when someone's only "slightly" attacked someone else.
I think if they made a charge it would have to be assault. But, they are allowed to use discretion and every article I have seen so far is making a quick assumption that the cops should have. One article said punches were thrown at the party. Do the Yale students get charged as well? Did they help instigate the fight by being bold in numbers with how they handled it with words or actions at the party? Just because they sing doesnt mean they are not capable of going on the offensive. 2 wrongs dont make a right. But, I think we have assumed the Yale guys had no part in this. The pictures are of guys who were in a fight. Not to be "non empathetic" again, but this happens all the time. Why this one? Why these kids? Just because they went to Yale?
And I completely dismiss the attempt to say that this was the result of what song they were singing. I think that part was circumstantial. I hate that these issues in SF always have a knee-jerk "SF hates America" reaction which isnt the case. The issue was that they were singing, wearing preppy clothing, and upset a kid who was wearting a Santa hat and felt inferior. But, people already want to call this a hate crime because he used certain words that many juvenile guys use when they are upset.
Anyways... I've posted enough.... Thanks for the level-headedness mattymatt.
ABC news is way out of line by saying there were 5-7 attackers PER PERSON??? So they are basically saying there were at least 60 attackers... which is completely erroneous. The Yalies were talking their fair share of fighting words from what I've heard, and though I do feel for the guy with the broken jaw, I would caution anyone who feels that they should be able to talk the talk and not back it up. This was not a hate crime at all - just because one of the kids used the word "fag" does not make it so.
Regarding the argument that "5 to 7 attackers per person would have to equal 60 attackers": it is possible that the attackers attacked more than one victim apiece. No account says that the victims were all attacked simultaneously by 5 to 7 people; rather, the victims were outnumbered (by an unknown amount) and each victim was, probably not all at the same time, abused by between five and seven different people.
Say there were 20 attackers, which is quite a lot and the top end of the estimate by the SFPD. Say those TWENTY young men attacked the members of the Baker's Dozen. This means that at a maximum 4 people were being attacked simulaneously, correct? So I guess the other 8 Yale students just sort of stood around waiting for the next gang of five to finish up and beat them down? No. This was a fight between two parties, albeit not of equal size, but a fight between two parties nonetheless. It was not the vicious mob assault that some would have you believe. The Yale kids thought they could handle themselves against some guys who have a propensity for violence and got beat up. It's really too bad but it was not a hate crime nor was it a mob beating.
So I guess while some kids had all the attackers on them, the other Yale kids stood around to wait their turn? That doesn't make sense. No, this was a fight between two willing parties, and the Yale kids didn't know that when push came to shove, they were gonna get it.
Chances are it had zero to do with them being percieved as gay, and 100% to do with them singing a patriotic song in good old San Francisco. Really, if the Muslems nuke any city at all, if they gotta nuke at least one, I hope its San Francisco.
You mean "Muslims."
Please don't feed the trolls.
Point taken, Matt.
One more thought: On Police involvement and discretion.....
Remember this was New Years Eve. One of the biggest drunk tank, near riot evenings SF has. Nowadays I even leave the City knowing that it is a madhouse: overcrowded and sauced. Always a shooting or stabbing of some sort somewhere. If I was a cop and ran into a Rich kid vs Rich kid fight and they are all standing and coherent at the end of it (which the "jaw" pictures seem to indicate); then it might be best to let them move on in case something important happened.... and "no", this was not that important in the perspective of urban inner-city incidents. It now just has press because Drudge reported it as a incident sparked by singing the Star Spangled Banner which totally manipulates the truth.
Interesting how those who appear to be sympathetic to the men from yale degrad themselves by stating "run their mothers business down". It is not her fault for the irresponsible actions of her sons (as if she was on the sideline rooting for them) Clearly, it is a perpetual cycle of hate on someone. The news always blows up when it is a hate crime involving rich or not rich caucasian males but fails to mention the other hate crimes that exist within the city that occur often involving asian gangs that beat the shit out of other races for no reason as well. Its unfortunate that the media chooses what stories to cover for our entertaining purposes. I guess an asian beating up a white male is not worth mentioning.
I have just reached the bottom of the comments and on my first visit to SFist I'm sold. Ya'll did a great job both on the story and the comments. 1. good point about NYE being a busy night for the police, way too much to worry about than to mess with an incident that is essentially over 2 thanks for pointout that Matier and Ross were too chickens**t to name names 3. did I miss anyone pointing out that this was NOT a fight - it was an attack, big diff. 4. host's liability, that's a show stopper. This is a perfect Jerry Springer moment.
Regarding SFPD's behavior, I believe the thin blue line is very very thin. These folks are stressed and deserve respect. When they fail and assault citizens then they need to be reported. On the whole, I believe they are more on my side than not - I might not think that if I were black, young and male or had been molested at a bus stop.
Use of language is telling. Whining - T.C. you should be ashamed. Pointing out the Star Spangled Banner angle is just button pushing. The public does seem happy to keep eating the same meal over and over. Comment about not feeding the trolls, very funny.
Today was my first time ever being on this site as well, and although my opinions may seem off or gruff to some, I appreciate the manner of the discussion from participants and hosts for a good dialogue (with all trolls ignored of course).
Eating a little crow: I guess I can't let this one go just yet. During my active participation in today's dicussion I said I would be open to a change of opinion if photo proof of the jaw were provided. Once given, I tried my best to believe it wasn't that bad. But, I have to admit that a jaw doesn't protrude that much if just hit, and he probably didn't stuff a wad of paper in there for effect. As for the rest, my sons looks like that sometimes coming home after falling off the jungle gym. But, that jaw.... it wasn't a punch probably... had to be a foot (likely while on the ground) or a blunt object...
I also had the opportunity to speak with an immediate family memeber on staff at his former high school. His thoughts were basically "this kid is what the story makes him out to be: a thug who would start a fight and then call in his friends to finish it off". I've never backed him, but I guess I can see that it may not have been two-sided... but an attack. Plus, "I'm 20 deep..." maybe he deserves what he gets for that alone (but, not his mother.....)
Thoughts on the police.... still belive the same about New Years.. but the connections are suspect, and I hope it isn't another Fajitagate... just cause I know enough good City cops.
No Change on Star Spangled Banner thoughts. Nonsense.... just an insecure punk kid.
However, my parting shot is that an Ivy Leaguer 'a Coppela' singer who is on the varsity squash team getting his ass kicked.... still kind of funny.... can't please everybody.