Kirby James, 50, was asleep in a running car at an intersection on the 400 block of Hamilton Avenue shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday
Reporting live from Hamilton ave .. Let the man have some water [?]
Posted by Alex Cirujano Estevez on Thursday, September 24, 2015
TRENTON - A Trenton man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and obstruction after fighting with police in an incident that was partially recorded on a cellphone video.
Kirby James, 50, was asleep in a running car at an intersection on the 400 block of Hamilton Avenue shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday, Lt. Stephen Varn said.
Kirby James, 50, struggles with Trenton police Thursday during an arrest on Hamilton Avenue. (Image from contributed video)Police tried to rouse James, knocking on the windows of the locked, running BMW. James would occasionally open his eyes, but then fell back asleep.
Witnesses told police the car had been in the intersection for about 20 minutes, Varn said.
While the windows of the car were rolled up, the moon roof was open and police tried to wake James through the opening in the roof, Varn said.
James woke after several minutes, appearing disoriented. He told officers that he was "the Lord,'' and to leave him alone, Varn said.
James was ordered out of the car. He did not comply at first, but then woke and exited the car through the moon roof, Varn said.
Out of the car, James ripped off his shirt, flexed his muscles and yelled at officers that he was the "Lord,'' Varn said.
Officers used pepper spray on James, who had charged at one of the officers. It had no effect, Varn said. James charged Officer Thomas Tumillo a second time and was pepper sprayed again. It had no effect, Varn said.
Officer John McGinley and his K-9 partner arrived. After James charged Tumillo again, McGinley allowed the dog to attack, Varn said.
James and other officers struggled, while the dog continued to attack. During the struggle, the dog bit Officer McGinley, who was treated at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton for a bit to his face, Varn said.
Kirby was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton where a search warrant was granted to test James' blood and he was charged with driving while intoxicated, resisting and obstruction. He was later released on bail, according to police records.
Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
