Tuesday, January 15, 2013

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.

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the brother is not denying the word was used, just denying that it was said in a hate crime way since Jimmy didn't know the kid was gay? It's not EVER ok to use that word John Meade, Jr. and I wouldn't patronize a place that sees ANY distinction/rationalization in when it's ok to use that word.

Anonymous said...

To point this out, the incident occured 1-8-13, and yet, Maplewood Patch, Maplewood Online, or even, Maplewood's Police Blotter have nothing written on this. It is 1-15-13 and the blotter was last updated 1-7-13, with reports on 'incidents' dating six days prior to their 1-7-13 posting. This too will get SWEPT UNDER the RUG. Our disillusion of St. Jame's Gate and the Maplewood community will continue and grow. Hate mongers are permitted in Maplewood so long as they serve us alcohol?
-fed up

Joe Strupp said...

To add, MOL has removed several posts about it, not only by me, but others.

Mark Slade Homes said...

Joe, good job on the investigative reporting.

Anonymous said...

Hats off to Joe amd his display of consciousnesses for his community. Maplewood would be better served with more residents, such as yourself.

Joe Strupp said...

Thanks, and apparently Jamie has let me back on.

Anonymous said...

where was James when the police arrived? if he wasn't at fault why was he no where to be found? was he at the hospital getting treatment? I'd like to know if he had a BAC or what it was? if he didn't go till later in the a.m he should have been around for a statement unless he was trying to cover up how intoxicated or unjustified he may or may not have been. st. James gate has security cameras right? will they be used? or unfortunately deleted? time will tell, can't wait to see what the court has to say about this...

Anonymous said...

"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."

From the victim's statement, the bartender ASKED him if he was gay, so based on the victim's description of the story - the bartender DID know he was gay - which conflicts with his brother's statement...

And biting might have been in self defense of being hit in the face and kicked in the head? Just saying.

The Rogue Knight said...

It doesn't matter if the bartender knew the patron was gay or not; slinging that type of language towards anyone is unacceptable. If the bartender called someone an n-word, people would demand action. Why is it ok to call someone a derogatory name based on their orientation, but wholly intolerable if the insult is made based on race?

There exists this mentality that your hate is compeltely justified and acceptable as long as its NOT race or ethnicity based, and that's not right. It's not acceptable. Hate is hate, anger is anger, regardless of what flag the victim bears.

The Rogue Knight said...

Also, a bite wound is a defensive wound....that means, it is made when someone is trying to defend themselves. It is not an offensive strike; the victim likely did not jump the bar and randomly bite the bartender. It's common sense to realize the bartender/agressor had his hands in a prolonged offensive manner near the victim's face, wherein the victim instinctively bit his hand in defense and to separate himself from the bartender.

You don't need to watch CSI to figure this crap out. Unless a person is on Bath Salts, he/she is not going to just randomly jump at a person and bite them.

Anonymous said...

Bunch of nonsense. Everyone needs to grow up. The dopey "victim" even posted the story on Yelp. Moron.

Anonymous said...

I think anyone who's been to the gate knows what a jerk Jimmy is. Seems like this time he really outdid himself. Only thing I would defend is his slur slinging. The kid didn't get beat up because he was gay, he got beat up because Jimmy is a violent alcoholic. "Faggot" has a lot more meaning...especially to young men..than gay. It's almost never used in describing a gay man in these situations and in this case I'll bet that he would have called anyone who gave him an ounce of hard time a faggot. Let's not make more of this than it is. Deal with Jimmy as a violent criminal as he's proven to be, but honestly I wouldn't go as far as to say this was a hate crime. It's a very serious thing and we shouldn't be irresponsible and toss that term around. I'm glad the victim got his licks in btw. Bullies like Jimmy need that from time to time.

Anonymous said...

I wish all the people who have had run-ins with that angry alcoholic bartender would come forward. I guess having a brother on the Maplewood police force can keep you out of a lot of difficulties but it looks like this time a line was crossed.

Anonymous said...

I agree, victums of Jimmy Meade should come forward. In My opinion, the struuggle however is the lying that goes on from the Meade family and their so called loyal employes. They try to cover up every violent incident and verbal attack made by Jimmy Meade to innocent patrons. WHY has maplewood allowed this to happen! This is a town of hard working educated people. Where is the repect and loyalty to the maplewood tax payer and their families.

Anonymous said...

This is sad. Stop taking to the internet to complain. You think posting anonymous comments on the Maplewoodian are going to help anything? You're asking people to come forward and meanwhile not a single person here is using their real names.

Nothing is going to come of this. No one is going to take actual action. Jimmy will be drunk behind the bar again come February. It's just like his brother said, "We'll be here for another ten years."

Anonymous said...

I hope you will keep us updated on the hearing today.

Anonymous said...

The hearing is tomorrow

Anonymous said...

Drunk, behind the bar, another ten years. That sounds about right.lol

Anonymous said...

The hearing is today

Anonymous said...

Please post what happened

Anonymous said...

Meade is a coward. Looks like daddy won't be able to bail him out of this one. I hope they throw the book at this homophobic child.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy has shown numerous times that he has anger issues and hopefully this incident will land him the jail time he sorely needs. I really hope the victim comes aftder the St. James Gate with all the resources he can muster and make them pay in civil court.

Anonymous said...

agreed.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy's a great person. the whole family is. love the comments.... probably from the same person...sticks and stones people!!

Anonymous said...

Jimmys a great person??????? Then why is this not the first time he beat up a patron of the bar or if hes such a great guy why did he break several windows of the parents house of a kid who graduated high school with jimmy because jimmy just didnt like him..........yeah, that story will be coming out real soon.

Anonymous said...

I personally find this appalling: St. James Gate used to be my favorite place in the area to eat, and me and my husband spent a considerable amount of money there on a monthly basis. Since hearing of this incident, neither he nor I will go back to the establishment -- telling someone it's okay to use the term "faggot" if you don't know whether or not a person is gay is equal to saying it's okay to use the "n" word so long as no one black is around. I just called the establishment to confirm if James Meade is still employed at the establishment, and his brother confirmed that he was. Therefore, we will continue to boycott the restaurant, and encourage our friends and neighbors to do the same.

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