WHAT A HEEL!: The Commute(r) From Hell
Lawyer and retired police sergeant John Clifford, who loudly cursed out a fellow passenger on the 7:39 a.m. Long Island Rail Road train to Manhattan’s Pennsylvania Station for talking on his cell phone, and slapped another passenger’s hand, was found not guilty by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Larry Stephen of misdemeanor charges of attempted assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and attempted petit larceny arising from the altercation on March 28, 2007, reportsThe Associated Press.
“While the court does not condone the defendant’s manner of getting people to remain quiet or silent on the Long Island Rail Road, I see no crimes having been committed beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the judge.
Clifford, who represented himself, admitted he was “domineering,” “aggressive” and “overbearing” towards commuters he deemed rude for talking too loudly on cell phones, but claims he was only trying to get the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to “enforce[e] its own etiquette rules, which restrict noise to 70 decibels under some circumstances ,” reports The New York Times, and “compared himself to Rosa Parks, fighting for his right to sit where he wanted in peace.”
Where the 6-foot-4 Clifford wanted to sit was sprawled out over five facing seats so he could cross his legs and relieve his aching back. In court, he testified: “I stand up for my right to be let alone … I eat. I mind my own business. I read my paper. I get to work.” Spoiling his commute, was “this clique that think it’s their absolute right to talk as long and as loud as they like. … They’re talking from one side of the train to the other. That aggravates me. I can’t concentrate. I can’t catch up on current events, and it gives me a headache, so I tell them off.”
LIRR officials released a statement expressing disappointment with the verdict: “Some of our customers feel as if they have been abused by Mr. Clifford’s behavior. We will not tolerate aggressive behavior by Mr. Clifford if he seeks to impose his own standards of conduct on others. We will not hesitate in the future to call on police if necessary to protect the safety of our customers and employees.”
After his acquittal, Clifford told reporters: “Believe me, I am no hero. Rosa Parks is a hero. I’m just a knucklehead.”
No, Mr. Clifford, you are a heel.
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