Ludwig Kaiser Files Motion To Dismiss Battery Charge Against Him

PWInsider has an update on the misdemeanor battery case against WWE Superstar and AAA wrestler Ludwig Kaiser (aka Marcel Barthel). Kaiser also wrestles as El Grande Americano.

According to the update, Kaiser filed a motion earlier today (July 15) seeking a dismissal of the misdemeanor battery charge against him. Kaiser is arguing that he’s immune from prosecution under the Stand Your Ground Law in Florida. As previously reported, an individual, who has reportedly been identified as Richard Reap, alleged that Kaiser assaulted him after he told him and his female companion to “please have some manners” after they were allegedly making out “aggressively” inside an elevator.

Reap alleged in his complaint that after the verbal exchange, Kaiser responded by punching him multiple times, pushing him to the ground, and threatening additional violence. Kaiser later turned himself in earlier in May after an arrest warrant was issued for him. The wrestler was subsequently released on a bail bond. The motion was reportedly filed ahead of the pre-trial hearing for the battery case.

Kaiser’s motion contends that his actions constituted lawful self-defense and qualify for statutory immunity under state law. Additionally, it says that Kaiser and his companion were in an elevator at his Orlando apartment complex on April 23, when the complainant, Richard Reap, allegedly made hostile remarks, as he was offended by the couple “hugging” after exiting the elevator.

Also, the motion claims that Reap made a comment about calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Kaiser’s partner, who is cited as being of Mexican descent in the legal filing. Kaiser’s motion claims that Reap allegedly stated, “Have some respect before I call ICE on that *****.”

The motion also alleges that Kaiser then exited the elevator to verbally confront Reap over the comments, but that Kaiser didn’t threaten or physically touch him. It continues that Reap then approached Kaiser aggressively with raised hands, prompting Kaiser to push him away out of concern that an assault was imminent.

It’s said that Kaiser then returned to the elevator, but Reap approached him again in a “threatening manner.” It’s then alleged that Kaiser pushed Reap away for a second time before returning to the elevator with his companion. The legal filing also claims that Reap threw a soda bottle at Kaiser, who didn’t respond to the act and left the area, instead getting back to the elevator and pressing the button that closed the door.

Kaiser’s legal team is reportedly arguing that he used non-deadly force and was lawfully present in the common area of his building, reasonably believing his actions were necessary to protect both himself and his girlfriend from “imminent unlawful force.” The filing also notes that Florida law doesn’t require an individual in those circumstances to retreat before defending themselves.

The motion is also requesting the court to dismiss the battery charge because Kaiser’s use of force was legally justified and that he’s immune from criminal prosecution under Florida law.

Ludwig Kaiser last wrestled at AAA Noche de Los Grandes in May. He defeated the original El Grande Americano, Chad Gable, in a Mask vs. Mask Match. As a result, Kaiser was able to continue wrestling as the second El Grande Americano.