Repeat offender accused of beating up German journalist visiting Miami Beach; suspect threatens judge in court
A man who came to South Florida for work was violently attacked in Miami Beach and police announced the assailant is no stranger to the law Pit Gottschalk is now black and blue Speaking with News on Sunday the German sports journalist stated he flew in to cover the FIFA Club World Cup But Friday night Gottschalk mentioned he was attacked along the block of Collins Avenue while walking back to his hotel A strange guy appeared and stopped me and yelled at me and I disclosed Please keep distance I don t want to talk to you ' he explained But the man refused to do as Gottschalk and he noted the encounter speedily turned violent I tried to run and escape from the situation and then he beat me two times one fist hits me in the face and the other one in the back he declared A witness in a wheelchair helped Gottschalk They called police Miami Beach Police officers were able to swiftly catch and arrest the suspect He was identified as -year Perry Smith Smith is known as a menace by Miami Beach personnel as well as a repeat offender In court Sunday morning Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Christine Hernandez recognized the suspect Yes I m familiar with Mr Smith she declared The bond hearing for did not go smoothly Smith threatened Hernandez over the battery charge he is facing A bond commented Hernandez And you re going to die a thousand deaths reported Smith The suspect was taken out of court moments later He should be removed All right Mr Smith Have a nice day commented Hernandez Last year Smith was arrested for an attempted strong-arm robbery and battery of a police officer News previously announced on a sweetheart plea deal he got for that from the Miami-Dade State Attorney s Office which included no trial and no jail time Shortly after while out on bond Smith attacked a tourist police revealed Now this latest-incident adds to his long wrap sheet Gottschalk hopes the city moves up It s the duty and the task of the city to keep him away from the streets so that he can t attack people like me he reported As of Sunday evening Smith remains in jail on a bond
