Richards shuns 'show trial'
No apology for racism victims
Seinfeld star Michael Richards has refused to attend a mock trial with the four black people he racially insulted at a comedy club, fearing the event will be a media circus.The comic had agreed to a private meeting today with the three men and one woman he targeted during his notorious rant at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood in November.
But when he heard the event would be open to the media, he cried off.
The idea was that a three-lawyer jury would decide whether Richards was accountable and what he should do to make amends. It will will still go ahead, despite the comic’s absence.
Richards’ lawyer Douglas Mirell said: ‘We wanted to apologise face to face to the individuals in the club that night. Now this has been turned into a modern-day kangaroo court.’
The tirade, included the word ‘nigger’ and references to lynching was captured on mobile phone and circulated over the internet, and led Richards to make a tearful apology on David Letterman’s talk show.
Lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents the patrons, said: ‘Mr Richards had no hesitation in crying his crocodile tears and giving his spin on how sorry he was in a public venue.’
Published: 17 Feb 2007
