ANTI-GAY SLUR ALLEGED IN ST. JAMES INCIDENT - BAR RESPONDS

The victim of an alleged assault by a bartender at St. James Gate has claimed online that the incident include an anti-gay slur spoken by the bartender.

But the bartender’s brother, also a St. James Gate employee and son of the owner, somewhat disputes the claim, saying the bartender did not know the man was gay and any comment would not have been made as an anti-gay slur against that particular individual. He also said his brother is actually unable to work because his hand was bitten in the alleged incident.

Ethan Kresofsky, 24, of South Orange, filed an assault complaint with Maplewood Police against the bartender, James Meade, 30, of Mapelwood, last week, according to police.

The complaint stems from the plaintiff's claim that he was assaulted during the incident that allegedly occurred the night of Jan. 7, 2012, at the bar in Maplewood Village.

Police issued a notice to the press Friday saying only that the incident was alleged by Kresofsky and a hearing would be held Jan. 24 in Bloomfield municipal court due to a conflict of interest with Maplewood's local municipal judge. The police notice issued and previously reported here stated:

On Tuesday, 1-8-13 at approximately 1:40 am Maplewood Police Officers responded to St’ James Gate Restaurant located at 167 Maplewood Avenue on a report of several males fighting. 

Upon arrival, Officers checked did not observe any individuals fighting. Officers did speak with two males that were standing in front of the location who reported that they had a verbal disagreement with the bartender and they were leaving to go home. 

At that time, both males left the scene without incident. The Officers were unable to speak with the bartender as he left the scene prior to the Officers arrival.

Later that day and during business hours one of the two males, Ethan Kresofsky (24 years old) of South Orange, NJ, responded to the Maplewood Police Department to report that he was assaulted by James Meade (30 years old) of Maplewood, the bar tender for St’ James Gate. On January 9, 2013, Mr. Kresofsky responded to the municipal court to file a charge of simple assault against James Meade. 

The complaint was received and transferred out to the Bloomfield Municipal Court for a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to go forward with the complaint. The hearing is set for January 24, 2013 at 8:30am.

The police notice makes no mention of anti-gay slurs. When asked about such a claim, a police spokesman offered no further information, stating he did not know.

But in a posting on Yelp.com, Kresofsky wrote of Meade, in part:

“I asked him for a drink and he refused to serve me so I ask why.  He says to me, ‘What are you some kind of faggot?’ So as a proud gay man I said to this, "Yes what of it?" He tells me to leave but he won't let me get my coat. He spits on my face then punches me. So I give up on the coat and head outside, where he follows me and pushes my friends out of the way and hits me again, knocking me over. He (Jimmy Meade) then kicks me in the head.  This guy has a problem and it seems like a simple question can set him off.  He's the owner's son soooo l doubt he will be fired.  Never had a problem before but I suppose Notre Dame's loss is what sparked his unprovoked attack.

Kresofsky has been unreachable for comment.

James Meade was also unreachable at St. James Gate.

But his brother, John Meade, Jr., who is also the son of owner John Meade, Sr., did speak to us. Although John Meade Jr. said he was not there the night of the incident, he said James Meade was bitten in the incident and cannot work at the moment.

“He’s actually temporarily out of work due to a bite that he has on his hand from the alleged victim,” he told Maplewoodian.com

Asked if his brother called the person an anti-gay slur and assaulted him, Meade said:

“That’s ridiculous, I’ll be honest with you, if you know us, we know pretty much everybody who comes in here, he didn’t know this group of young guys, they came in, it was closing time, and that’s the facts. They were asked to leave, somebody came back in, a fight or a push ensued, altercations happened outside, my brother’s finger was almost bitten off, he reacted the way anybody would.”

Citing the claim of an anti-gay slur, Meade did not deny it, but said his brother did not know the alleged victim, so he would not know if he was gay.

“When you don’t know somebody and somebody says a name, that doesn’t mean it’s a hate crime or a biased crime and I think we’re being treated unfairly to be honest with you,” he said. “We’ll be here for another 10 years, we’ve been here for 10 years, we serve everyone, black, white, race, religion, sexual preference.”

On Tuesday, the family also issued this statement on the incident:

Maplewood, NJ (January 15, 2013) – St. James’s Gate Publick House owner John Meade Sr. commented on the recent events that took place outside his restaurant in the very early morning of Tuesday, January 8, 2013. “The recent altercation that occurred outside of St. James’s Gate is an unfortunate and isolated incident. Any conversation with St. James’s Gate staff that led to this altercation is not typical of the friendly service and atmosphere that patrons have come to expect and enjoy at St. James’s Gate. The Meade Family has been a part of the Maplewood Community for over 30 years. We want everyone to feel welcome at St. James’s Gate.”

Established nearly ten years ago, St. James’s Gate Publick House became an anchor in Maplewood village. To this day it is a local favorite, offering traditional Irish and pub fare as well as a wide selection of draft beers, Irish whiskeys and other spirits and wines.

Manager John Meade Jr. commented, “St. James’s Gate has been an important part of the Maplewood community for nearly ten years. We appreciate all our patrons. We try to show this by supporting local fundraisers and community events. We are confident that residents of Maplewood and the surrounding area know our restaurant well and recognize that St. James’s Gate is a family-friendly restaurant and warm and inviting pub.”

Mr. Meade Jr. confirmed that the bartender involved in the altercation is currently on medical leave.

Plans are already underway for a celebration of the tenth anniversary of St. James’s Gate Publick House in August 2013.